GRAND BEND, Ontario – The second round of the 2017 Canadian Superbike schedule saw something of an upset, as Jordan Szoke did not win a Canadian superbike race for the first time since the CTMP season-closer in 2014 (when he sat out with an injured hand). Saskatchewan native Bohdi Edie took his Yamaha R1 to a half-second win ahead of the BMW-mounted Szoke.
Third, seven seconds back, was Kawasaki-mounted Kenny Riedmann, followed by BMW’s Samuel Trepanier another three seconds back, while the ageless (actually, he’s 44) Frank Trombino once again left retirement and collected fifth after a two-year break from the track, another three seconds back. The remarkable Trombino also came out as the winner in the Pro Sport Bike (600 cc) race.
The superbike race featured a close battle between Edie, Szoke, and Collingwood’s Ben Young on another BMW. Both Edie and Young got past the defending champion, then Young suffered a nasty high-side as he and Edie diced for the lead. The race was red-flagged and declared complete, as only three laps were left. Young was demoted to the final position on the lead lap due to his causing the red flag, moving Ken Riedmann onto the podium.
Edie, age 21, was thrilled to stand at the top of the box for the first time in nearly four years. “Right off the start I didn’t quite have the pace, but I just stayed calm, stayed patient … Ben was putting in a really hot race, and he kinda helped me get my pace up and get my comfort there. Jordan got into a bit of trouble and we were able to catch up with him, and right away we made a few passes stick, and kept the pace going.”
“It sucks to have it end,” said Szoke about his 15-race win streak. “But I was the quickest rider (this weekend), and we’re still there, we got second place. We were on pole, we led the most laps, and it’s about the championship for us.
“I want to congratulate Bodhi,” concluded the 37-year-old. “He ran extremely well.”
Young, who eventually walked away from the scene of his crash after initially being unresponsive, was understandably disappointed. “I’m honestly fine, I’m just so frustrated,” he said. “There’s no one that wanted to win that race more than myself. I wanted to be the guy that beat Jordan. Of course, I’m happy for Bodhi and the team, but that’s not the way I wanted it to go. I wanted to be the one on top.”
Former National Pro Sport Bike champion Trombino was thrilled with his success upon returning to the national series, the 2000 Open Sport Bike champion opening up a significant early gap and cruising to victory in the Pro Sport Bike race, crossing his ProStar/Hindle Honda CBR600RR over the line 4.216 seconds ahead of runner-up Mitch Card (Kitchener, ON). Rounding out the top three was opener victor Tomas Casas (Peterborough, ON), who rebounded from a crash late in Saturday qualifying to earn the final spot on the podium.
Yamaha mounted Ernest Bernhard (Ste-Brigide, QC) took top honours in the Amateur Superbike class. He assumes the points lead going into the third round at Autodrome St-Eustache in two weeks. Shoei Helmets Amateur Sport Bike was won by Jean-Francois Aubin (St-Gerome, QC), who edged out fellow Suzuki racer Kyle Newman (Oakville, ON) by 1.281 seconds.
Additional winners on Sunday at Grand Bend included Xavier Paradis (Shannon, QC) in Kawasaki Ninja 300 Race Series action, Nicolas Meunier (Verdun, QC) in RACE Mopar Express Lane Lightweight, Tim Ruhl on a mighty Suzuki Katana (Hillsburg, ON) in Goderich Toyota and Goderich Honda Heavyweight Vintage.
CSBK Pro Superbike standings after two of seven races
- Jordan Szoke, Lynden, Ont., BMW S1000RR, 104 points
- TIE, Bodhi Edie, Warman, Sask., Yamaha R-1/ Kenny Riedmann, Belfountain, Ont., Kawasaki ZX-10R, 81
- Samual Trepanier, St-Isidore-de-Laprairie, Que., BMW S1000RR, 55
- Michael Leon, Beaconsfield, Que., BMW S1000RR, 54
- Ben Young, Collingwood, Ont., BMW S1000RR, 51
- Jeff Williams, Inverary, Ont., BMW S1000RR, 50
- Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont., Suzuki GSX-R1000, 40
- Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont., BMW S1000RR, 35
- Tim Toldnes, London, Ont., Kawasaki ZX-10R, 34
Next race, Autodrome St-Eustache, St-Eustache, QC, June 25.
In Shoei Helmets Amateur Sport Bike rider Aaron Burns made a last lap pass just before the carousel turn to grab third place on his 613 motorsports Yamaha R6