Josh Hayes Set For New Role As Yamaha Racing Ambassador And Coach
Four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes won't be racing in the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike class.
Paul Carruthers
Four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, the man with the second-most Superbike wins in AMA history, is stepping down from the Monster Energy Yamaha Superbike team and won’t race in the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Series, though the 41-year-old legend says he’s not retiring.
“This is not a retirement announcement,” said Hayes in a Yamaha release. “I feel like ‘retirement’ is a choice you make. I never intended to stop racing, but with Yamaha’s vision and goals, it became time to move in a new direction with the young talent that’s been dominating the MotoAmerica Supersport class. I’m thankful to Yamaha, Keith (McCarty the team manager), and the team for giving me the opportunity to accomplish what I was able to in Superbike, and I’m proud that they want me to continue with them, beyond just racing their motorcycles. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with the younger riders moving up.”
Hayes will continue with the team in a brand-new role for which he is uniquely qualified, as Yamaha Factory Racing Ambassador and Yamaha Rider Coach. for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha announced earlier today that they were promoting two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Garrett Gerloff to the Superbike team where he will join two-time champion Cameron Beaubier.
I guess I can finally say something... I’m a Superbike rider!!!! I guess you could say I’m pretty excited about it 😜😁 Link to the press release above ☝🏼 Here’s my quote: “Last year was a dream season for me,” commented Garrett. “I accomplished a lot of things on my list of goals. So, for me, I was ready for the next step. I have wanted to ride a superbike for such a long time now, so, for it to finally happen is amazing. I have some big shoes to fill. Taking the ‘Josh Hayes spot’ isn’t something I take lightly…it is an honor. If I can accomplish just a fraction of what he has, then I will be doing pretty well. Luckily, I’ve been able to ride the R1 Superbike a couple times already, and all I can say is that it is an animal! It’s so fast, but also smooth and agile. I couldn’t ask for a better machine with which to attack the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. I already feel right at home on the bike and with all of the amazing people on the team. It’s going to be a steep learning curve, but I’m more than ready for a challenge! And, with the whole package together, I know I can’t fail! I’m looking forward to an exciting 2018 aboard my #31 R1 Superbike!” #superbike #sbk #motoamerica #yamaha #r1 #yamahar1 A post shared by Garrett Gerloff (@garrettgerloff) on Nov 17, 2017 at 10:05am PST “I feel like ‘retirement’ is a choice you make. I never intended to stop racing..." Josh Hayes
For 2018, Hayes will continue as a member of the Yamaha Factory Racing team, applying his knowledge and experience as a mentor, consultant, and rider coach, as well as continuing to promote the Yamaha brand and Yamaha Factory Racing in the MotoAmerica paddock and beyond. In addition, Hayes will serve as a test rider for the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing Superbike team.
With his 61 Superbike wins, Hayes ranks second only to Mat Mladin on the all-time list. Hayes has 13 MotoAmerica Superbike wins, including 10 in the debut season of MotoAmerica, a mark that was matched this year by 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Toni Elias. Hayes also has 83 career wins across all classes, which places him second on the all-time list – just three shut of Miguel Duhamel’s 86 victories.
Hayes’ lone win in the 2017 season came in VIRginia International Raceway. Hayes finished fourth in the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.