MotoAmerica: Loris Baz falls for the first time in Atlanta, Mathew Scholtz wins! [Vidéo]

Mathew Scholtz, the South African rider for Team Westby Racing, claimed his first victory today at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, leading 18 of the 19 laps of the Superbike race. Loris Baz was thrown off his feet by his faithful red steed, and fell when he had just taken the lead.

Mathew Scholtz won his first race in the dry, his two previous victories in Superbike took place in 2017 and 2018 on a wet track. It is also his first victory as he suffered a serious leg injury at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last October.

Mathew Scholtz led the race, but on lap 14 Loris Baz took the lead in his Ducati Panigale V4R from Team HSBK New York. Mathew Scholtz put the brakes on him, and dove inside the Ducati rider entering chicane 10. Loris Baz did not brake until well after Mathew Scholtz, after the descent in the straight line, the 2 riders widened and unfortunately for the French driver, he lost the front and crashed.

“I got off to a good start for once, which gave me confidence”, Mathew Scholtz said on arrival. “It’s more difficult than during practice on Friday and in Q2 in the morning. I was sliding more than before, so I kind of wanted someone to get past me so I could hang on and be able to ride decently. Jake Gagne passed me and then unfortunately I think his engine broke. I looked behind me, and I saw Loris Baz, and it scared me a little. I knew I had to pick up the pace. I could see that Baz was slowly catching up to me. It actually caught me up a few laps earlier than I thought, and I just knew I had to get it back ASAP. “

He then returns to the fall of Loris Baz: “He kind of saw me coming. He released the brakes, and so did I. Unfortunately the track turns into turn 10, and I think he could have tried to brake a little harder knowing that we were both quite wide there. Then he lost the front and I kind of knew Bobby Fong would be the next one to come back ”.

Mathew Scholtz then had a clear path to victory, 3s ahead of Bobby Fong and his Suzuki, who thus took advantage of the unfortunate fall of the French driver. Josh Herrin and his Yamaha completed the podium, nearly 13s behind winner Scholtz, but he was happy given his tough start to WE with mechanical issues that compromised his Friday.

Loris Baz declares at the end of this Saturday: “Bad start, grip problem for 2 laps then I engaged the ascent mode until I took the lead! I make a small mistake and fall the next lap in a fight with Mathew who was attacking to take the lead! Second chance tomorrow! “

Another unlucky rider was Jake Gagne on his Yamaha. He was in the lead on the first lap when his YZF-R1’s engine broke down the straight. He thus begins the Championship with a white result, just like Loris Baz.

This Sunday’s Warm Up will take place at 3:05 p.m., for a 15-minute session, then the last weekend race at 9 p.m. (French time).

Results of Race 1 at RoadAtlanta:

Ranking credit: MotoAmerica