Former Moto2 World Champion to Test with Team at COTA
Chino, CA (March 15, 2016) – Former MotoGP winner and Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias will substitute for the injured Jake Lewis in the upcoming MotoAmerica tests at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on March 23-24.
While Elias has primarily been a Grand Prix rider for most of his career, the 32-year-old Spaniard is no stranger to Superbike racing. He raced for an Aprilia satellite team in the Superbike World Championship in 2013 and 2014. In Austin he’ll test the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.
“We’re happy to have a rider of Toni’s caliber available to test with the team in Austin later this month,” said Yoshimura R&D of America Senior Vice President Don Sakakura. “We’re not certain of Jake’s timeline to return, so it’s possible that Toni could also race with the team for a round or two.”
Lewis was injured late in February in a training accident suffering broken bones in his hand and shoulder. He is slated to return later this season.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to ride with Yoshimura Suzuki,” Elias said. “I’m wishing a quick recovery for Jake and I hope that I can help the team in developing the Suzuki as the season begins.”
Elias is a 16-year veteran of Grand Prix racing, having raced in all three class categories of GP racing.
He has 17-career GP wins, including a legendary MotoGP victory at the Portuguese Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2006. In that race Elias was in third on the final lap, but made daring passes on Valentino Rossi and Kenny Roberts, Jr. to take over the lead. Rossi actually got back into the lead but Elias tucked in and drafted past Rossi at the checkered flag. The race was so close it had to be reviewed to determine the winner. It was the closest finish in MotoGP since the advent of electronic timing. Elias became Moto2 World Champion in 2010, scoring seven Moto2 victories along the way.
Elias is an avid flat track racer as well and he participated in last year’s Superprestigio of the Americas in Las Vegas.
The 2016 MotoAmerica season kicks off at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas on April 8-10, 2016.
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Motorex, Dunlop, Parts Unlimited, Shorai, Sunstar, K&N Performance Filters, NGK Spark Plugs, RK Racing Chain, Kushitani, Zeta and Chicken Hawk Racing.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. SMAI’s supplier, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles and Outboard Motors. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has 147 distributors in 201 countries. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com