Suzuki’s Aaron Yates made up a considerable gap to join the lead group and, ultimately, take the lead on the last lap of the 600 supersport race today at Daytona. Defying conventional wisdom (you never win a 600 supersport race at Daytona while leading onto the final banking), Yates took advantage of a mistake by Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (who was running in second going onto the final banking) to take the checkered flag ahead of Nicky Hayden (Honda) and Jamie Hacking (Suzuki), who just edged out Miguel Duhamel (Honda).
Suzuki’s defending AMA Superbike champion and Daytona Superbike champion, Mat Mladin, crashed in superbike practice this morning, injuring his elbow. Mladin will receive surgery today and miss Sunday’s Daytona 200 Superbike race — the opening round of the 2002 AMA Superbike series.
Rich Oliver also crashed out in practice this morning, reportedly suffering a broken pelvis and a broken left ring finger.
Also injured today in the 600 Supersport race were brothers Anthony Gobert and Aaron Gobert, both with Team Yamaha. The two were involved in an ugly looking crash early in the 600 Supersport final. Also involved was Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden. Both Goberts had gone to the hospital in Daytona, but no final word on their condition. Tommy Hayden walked from the crash, and apparently escaped with only minor bumps and bruises. We will update you on this story later.
600 SuperSport Final Results (Top 10)1. Aaron Yates Suzuki 2. Nicky Hayden Honda 3. Miguel Duhamel Honda 4. Jamie Hacking Suzuki 5. Kurtis Roberts Honda 6. Damon Buckmaster Yamaha 7. Mike Hale Honda 8. Jason Pridmore Suzuki 9. Josh Hayes Suzuki 10. Ben Spies Suzuki
