It has been yet another strong weekend for Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha), with the Frenchman taking three top eight results at the famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With his best weekend at the circuit since 2014, Baz can head into the Summer break with grin on his face and confidence north of his eyebrows – something crucial for himself and the Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha team, as they adapt to the YZF – R1.

Baz came from the third row for the Tissot Superpole Race before quickly rising to seventh place to complete the first of two WorldSBK races on Sunday in fine, competitive fashion. The Frenchman bettered his results considerably after 2018 and was in the top seven for the first time at the track since 2014.

"It was all good Sunday, although we would have liked to do better after our weekend at Donington Park," said Baz. “It's a track that is less suited to our bike, so I'm pretty happy with what I did on all three runs. The Superpole Race went well with seventh place finish, although my feeling was not very good. "

Positioned once again on the third row of the grid for Race 2, the 26-year-old quickly followed in Torres in the fight for seventh place. He was then patient, waiting until the Lap 17 to take the position away from the charismatic Spaniard "I bet on putting on the softest tyre we normally use for the Superpole Race," said the French rider. “I managed to go all the way with a seventh position again, and a much faster pace. We made good progress on a track that was tricky for all Yamaha. "

The Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha team rider secured his third top ten of the weekend and left Laguna Seca with 76 points overall since his return to business before the summer break. "I make a positive assessment of this first half of the season. We will conduct tests in August during which we can evaluate different settings without pressure. I will take a few days off before going back to training. I cannot wait to get back! I am very happy with the way things went in these first races."

Baz is back at the Portimao circuit in Portugal for the next round of the WorldSBK season, where he has a best result of third, achieved back in 2014. However, the Portuguese circuit is one that favours Baz, with him achieving eight top ten finishes at the track, with a sixth place being his best result last year in Race 1 – a result Baz would boast as his best in the 2018 season.

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