Two fatalities in Monterey MotoAmerica Superbike races; Roberts crowned champ

A chain-reaction, multi-bike incident on the first lap of Suday's second MotoAmerica Superbike/Superstock 1000 race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca resulted in the deaths of two competitors.

Bernat Martinez (left, ABOVE), of Spain, was transported from the raceway by ambulance to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, where he succumbed to his injuries. He was 35.

Daniel Rivas Fernandez (right, ABOVE, also of Spain, was transported by REACH Medical Air Services to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, where he also succumbed to injuries. He was 27.

"I really don't have any words to describe what we all feel," said MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey. "First and foremost, is the loss to the families and loved ones. Our sincere condolences goes out to each and every one of them as well as the MotoAmerica family. They are in our thoughts and prayers."

"We are deeply saddened to learn the news of the passing of Bernat Martinez and Daniel Rivas," said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "Our prayers and hearts go out to their families and teams."

The race was the final one of the day and a support class for the larger World Superbike headlining race. MotoAmerica was formerly known as the American Motorcycle Association Superbike races, which typically ran before MotoGP races in previous years.

Joe Roberts (ABOVE) became the first MotoAmerica champion when the 18-year-old Californian streaking to his ninth Bazzaz Superstock 600 win of MotoAmerica's debut season to wrap up the title with one round (two races) remaining.

Roberts rode his Wheels In Motion/Motosport.com/Meen Motorsports Yamaha R6 to a narrow victory over Tune Racing's Bryce Prince, but the title fell to Roberts much earlier than that when his title rival Richie Escalante crashed out of the lead on the fifth lap. From there all Roberts had to do was keep going and that he did, besting Prince by just 0.219 second to wrap up his sixth straight victory and his first professional racing championship.

"It's been a really interesting year," Roberts said. "It's been filled with a bunch of wins, but I haven't had it handed to me. I've had Bryce (Prince) here with me and Michael (Gilbert, who finished third on Saturday) and Richie (Escalante) up there a lot. It's a bummer that he crashed out of this round, but it wasn't just handed to me. I had to dig deep sometimes and really push it in some of these sessions to get to be the top rider. It's been really cool."

Behind the lead duo of Roberts and Prince came Michael Gilbert on the HB Racing entry, the Southern Californian earning his second podium of the season. Prince's teammate Jason Aguilar ended up fourth with Wyman Racing's Travis Wyman rounding out the top five.

With one round and two races remaining, Roberts holds an insurmountable 62-point lead over Escalante in the series standings, 245-183. Wyman is third with Wyatt Farris, sixth today, and Prince fourth and fifth, respectively.