WorldSBK: 24 year old Jake Gagne fills in Nicky Hayden’s ride at Laguna Seca

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WorldSBK: 24 year old Jake Gagne fills in Nicky Hayden’s ride at Laguna Seca

The next WorldSBK round at the iconic Laguna Seca raceway will see Jake Gagne, a 24 year old MotoAmerica competitor as the replacement for the late Nicky Hayden.

Gagne was a former Red Bull Rookies Cup and AMA Superstock 1000 champion has been chosen by the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team for his already vast experience with Honda machinery.

The Geico US Round will be on 7 to 9 July 2017 where the Red Bull Honda squad will go full force once again with Gagne and Stefan Bradl.

After the recent passing of one of the world’s most respected racers of all time that was Nicky Hayden, the Red Bull Honda outfit currently competing in the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) has chosen MotoAmerica rider Jake Gagne as replacement.

The late Nicky Hayden when he was crowned MotoGP World Champion back in 2006

[button color=”” size=”” type=”3d” target=”blank” link=”https://www.bikesrepublic.com/news/bulletin/nicky-hayden-has-passed-away/”]CLICK HERE[/button] to know more on the passing of MotoGP legend, Nicky Hayden.

The team has been working with only one rider for the past couple of rounds at Donington Park and Misano with their other high profile rider, Stefan Bradl. The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team and their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 has been having quite a rough season so far and the loss of Nicky Hayden was indeed a major blow to the entire squad.

According to Motorsport.com, the team is now ready to carry on with Hayden’s efforts to bring glory to the team starting with the assistance from 24 year old Jake Gagne hailing from California. The Geico US Round will run its course at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from 7 to 9 July 2017 where Gagne will make his official debut in WorldSBK on board the ‘still yet to be proven’ Honda machinery.

Jake Gagne is no mere racer. Having once competed in Moto2 back in 2011, Gagne has vast experience with Honda bikes especially the CBR1000RR as his main bike in the MotoAmerica racing series. Gagne is also a former Red Bull Rookies Cup and AMA Superstock 1000 champion. With some achievements already under his belt, he’s set to prove himself as a worthy competitor in the World Superbikes series.

Image shows the rejoicing of Danny Kent (GBR), Jacob Gagne (USA) and Daijiro Hiura (JPN). (Image source: Red Bull)

Editor Info

Sep Irran

A passionate individual when it comes to anything related to two wheels (or sometimes more), he enjoys the chaotic and magical world of motorsports as much as riding leisurely to the shops on his beloved Vespa. With an education-based background, he is always eager to learn and share about the poetic arts of motorcycling.