Elena Myers wins at Daytona

Dodsfall · 03-22-2012, 08:49 PM

The AMA Pro Supersport race at Daytona was won by 18-year-old Elena Myers last Saturday. Myers made history as the first female rider to win the event, or any professional race, at Daytona National Speedway.

“It came down to the four of us,” said Myers of the race's final moments. “I didn’t want to lead out of the chicane, but even though I braked early, they all braked harder. When I came out of the chicane, I left my bike in fourth gear. But I never saw any of them. They wouldn’t pass me. So, at that point, I figured I’d just go for it. It was a drag race to the line.”

This marks the second national win for Myers after a victory at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California two years ago. That win was the result of a shortened race due to a red flag, so this time Myers proved she could beat other professional racers in the long run.

Myers has been racing in the AMA Pro Road Racing Series for three years, riding a Suzuki in the 600 cc class.

Her mother Anita was there to cheer her on during the race. “Everything has to be right to win,” said Anita. “The right crew is as necessary as her physical conditioning. The biggest difference now, for her, is endurance. Her performance doesn’t trail off during a race. She does a lot of cardio, rowing, cycling, running. She trains with Nathan Loyal, who trains bicyclists.”

Myers, who lives in Northern California, has been racing motorcycles since she was 8 years old. “It started out as a hobby and a family event,” said Anita. “But she quickly showed that she has talent. She started on a pocket bike, then she became really competitive and got a 125 two-stroke, then a 650 when she was around 12 years old and then a 600 at 14.”

Myers' crew chief, Eric Gray, had this to say, “We’re still learning how to speak the same language, but we’ve quickly established rapport. I told her, ‘They’re going to chump you going into the chicane on the last lap.’ But she turned it on them. They hesitated too long. I’m impressed by her racecraft. You can’t ever doubt her motivation to win.”

[Cycle World]

markk53 · 03-23-2012, 11:22 AM

Makes me wonder if her smaller stature gave her the extra jump and acceleration to hold the others off. If so, more power to her. I was pleased to hear of her win.

4Raven · 03-23-2012, 02:49 PM

Good for her.....it is skill!!!

ridemx · 03-27-2012, 04:01 PM

I had money on this and it was a big pay off new she would win

03-22-2012, 08:49 PM	#1
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,903	Elena Myers wins at Daytona The AMA Pro Supersport race at Daytona was won by 18-year-old Elena Myers last Saturday. Myers made history as the first female rider to win the event, or any professional race, at Daytona National Speedway. “It came down to the four of us,” said Myers of the race's final moments. “I didn’t want to lead out of the chicane, but even though I braked early, they all braked harder. When I came out of the chicane, I left my bike in fourth gear. But I never saw any of them. They wouldn’t pass me. So, at that point, I figured I’d just go for it. It was a drag race to the line.” This marks the second national win for Myers after a victory at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California two years ago. That win was the result of a shortened race due to a red flag, so this time Myers proved she could beat other professional racers in the long run. Myers has been racing in the AMA Pro Road Racing Series for three years, riding a Suzuki in the 600 cc class. Her mother Anita was there to cheer her on during the race. “Everything has to be right to win,” said Anita. “The right crew is as necessary as her physical conditioning. The biggest difference now, for her, is endurance. Her performance doesn’t trail off during a race. She does a lot of cardio, rowing, cycling, running. She trains with Nathan Loyal, who trains bicyclists.” Myers, who lives in Northern California, has been racing motorcycles since she was 8 years old. “It started out as a hobby and a family event,” said Anita. “But she quickly showed that she has talent. She started on a pocket bike, then she became really competitive and got a 125 two-stroke, then a 650 when she was around 12 years old and then a 600 at 14.” Myers' crew chief, Eric Gray, had this to say, “We’re still learning how to speak the same language, but we’ve quickly established rapport. I told her, ‘They’re going to chump you going into the chicane on the last lap.’ But she turned it on them. They hesitated too long. I’m impressed by her racecraft. You can’t ever doubt her motivation to win.” [Cycle World] __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-23-2012, 11:22 AM	#2
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	Makes me wonder if her smaller stature gave her the extra jump and acceleration to hold the others off. If so, more power to her. I was pleased to hear of her win. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

03-23-2012, 02:49 PM	#3
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	Good for her.....it is skill!!! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is liable to go to places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

03-27-2012, 04:01 PM	#4
ridemx Verified Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 16	won I had money on this and it was a big pay off new she would win

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