MotoAmerica riders weigh physical toll against necessity of competition at Road America
Sean Dylan Kelly, PJ Jacobsen, and Cameron Fong highlight the risks of racing at 190 mph while managing significant physical ailments.
Podium finishers at the MotoAmerica Superbike races held at Road America on May 31 have spoken about the physical demands of the sport, specifically the injuries sustained while competing at speeds reaching 190 mph. Sean Dylan Kelly secured victory in the second race, with PJ Jacobsen finishing second and Cameron Fong taking third place. The riders emphasised the professional imperative to compete despite significant physical setbacks.
Jacobsen revealed he lost a piece of bone in the tip of his left index finger earlier this season. He also noted a previous injury from when he was 11 years old, which left a nub of his pinky finger nearly torn off. Kelly, meanwhile, is managing a chip fracture in his right middle finger. Despite medical advice to avoid pressure on the injury, he managed to squeeze the brake lever with only his index finger to slow his BMW from 190 mph in time to navigate turns.
Fong, riding for Yamaha, finished third in both races of the weekend. He described the profession as highly stressful, noting that riders have no choice but to race regardless of injury because there is always another competitor ready to take their place. "We can’t call in sick," Fong said. "Sometimes I wonder why the hell I’m doing this. But leaving the track knowing that you had a good result is the best feeling in the world."
Kelly’s win marked his first of the season and his second overall in the premier Superbike class. Jacobsen crossed the line 0.381 seconds behind Kelly, a result that provided the best Superbike finish for the Ducati team owned by IndyCar racer Graham Rahal. Cameron Petersen, who won the first race on Saturday, finished fifth in the second event.
Cameron Beaubier, the all-time Superbike wins leader at the 4-mile Road America track, was unable to compete in the second race. He crashed while leading the first race on Saturday, suffering a dislocated shoulder, and was not medically cleared to race on Sunday.
The riders compared the risks of motorcycle racing to other high-speed motorsports, noting that while speeds are comparable to Indy cars and IMSA prototypes, riders rely on leather protection rather than carbon fibre. Kelly suggested that the trust riders have in each other helps mitigate the perceived danger of travelling at such high velocities.
This report is based on coverage originally published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
