beIN SPORTS 

Reigning MotoAmerica Superbike champion Cameron Beaubier took a big step toward retaining his crown in Race 1 at Laguna Seca this afternoon. The Monster Energy Yamaha star won out following a titanic battle involving all four title contenders -- at least until Yoshimura Suzuki's Roger Hayden crashed out of contention.

Beaubier made his escape late, as Hayden's teammate, Toni Elias, barged ahead of second Yamaha USA runner Josh Hayes to steal away second.

Meanwhile, Danny Eslick came out on top of a similarly heated tilt for the Superstock 1000 race win (and fourth overall). The TOBC rider took the checkered flag with Aprilia-mounted elbowing ahead of STK1000 championship leader Josh Herrin to settle 2nd/5th and 3rd/6th just a few tenths back.

Beaubier now leads the points chase by 31 points over Elias, with Hayes third at 34. Hayden dropped to 52 points back with just three races remaining.

One of those three will take place yet this afternoon, as Race 2 will conclude the combined WorldSBK/MotoAmerica weekend with a scheduled start time of 6:45pm Eastern. Live coverage will begin on beIN SPORTS at 6:20pm, immediately following live coverage of WorldSBK Race 2.