Hayes and the Graves Yamaha squad were testing in Las Vegas this week. He was the lone Superbike rider, joined by Tommy Aquino and Josh Herrin on 600s.
Graves
Yamaha was once again in Las Vegas testing for the 2010 season this week. They are fielding sole Superbike pilot
Josh Hayes along with Tommy Aquino and
Josh Herrin on 600s in Daytona SportBike. This is the team’s second time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway within the past month, no doubt trying to get in as many laps as possible before
AMA Pro Racing releases rules addressing the exact testing bans for next season.
Talking to Hayes beforehand at the California Speedway test, the Mississippi native was very optimistic for next season. “Right now we have a motorcycle that is capable of winning racing, so anything we find from here on out only adds to what we have and is a bonus,” he said. “With all that is going on right now I am very pleased to be back with Yamaha and racing Superbike next year.”
And there's no question Hayes has one goal for next season: Superbike Champion. As for the pressure of being one of the title favorites, he added: “It’s funny because a year ago I was just a guy who had won some 600 stuff and I think most considered me an unknown on a Superbike, but now I’m a title favorite. A bit of a change. I really don’t see it as that much pressure, though. I know what it takes to run up front and I know I’m willing to put it out on the line every weekend. For someone to take the title they are going to have to take risks and do the same, because I am.”
Bostrom was once again absent from the test with no official comment on his future from Yamaha. It's believed they are trying to place him on the Yamaha-supported Pat Clark Motorsports privateer team for 2010.
Interestingly absent from the test was fan favorite
Ben Bostrom. While the team won’t comment, and we weren’t able to get in touch with middle Bostrom sibling, the latest word around the paddock is Yamaha would like him to join the well-funded and Yamaha-backed Pat Clark Motorsports team for next year, most likely on a 600.
Judging by the amount Graves has tested compared to some of the competition, no doubt they are seriously after both the Superbike and Daytona SportBike titles in 2010. Looking at its rider lineup and well-proven motorcycles, one has to put them at the top of the pile to do just that.
But the big question lies with the strength of the series. With DMG cutting
AMA Pro Racing purse payouts to an all-time new low for modern American road racing, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the grids, Superbike especially, at horribly low levels. Sadly privateers, the lifeblood of our sport, may be a thing of the past.
