American Flat Trackers Ready To Battle At Superprestigio This Weekend

From an AMA press release:

Two Grand National Champions and one fast up-and-coming female sensation are preparing to represent AMA Pro Flat Track in the Superprestigio, a short track exhibition event scheduled to take place this Saturday, Dec. 13 in Barcelona, Spain.

Jared Mees, Brad Baker and Shayna Texter will grind it out against more than 40 international superstars, including two-time, defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez. The entire event, including the star-studded final, will be broadcast live to audiences in the United States on FansChoice.tv as well as the websites of Cycle World, Motorcyclist and Sport Rider, thanks to a collaborative effort between AMA Pro Racing, Bonnier Corporation and RPM Racing, the promoters of the Superprestigio.

Baker carried America’s flag proud as he represented AMA Pro Flat Track in the Superprestigio event held in January of this year. Baker was coming off an amazing championship run in 2013 to secure the AMA Pro Flat Track National No. 1 plate. The Washington native didn’t disappoint either, as he was able to get the best of Spain’s hero, Marquez, to claim the Superprestigio victory in front of a packed house.

“It’s an honor,” Baker said. “It’s really cool just to be able to be recognized on that level, that playing field with riders such as Marc [Marquez] and the other GP riders at the event.”

Unlike Baker, Michigan’s Mees has never stepped foot on European soil. The reigning Grand National Champion reclaimed the title this season after earning nine podiums and two victories, and will surely be a threat to take the checkered flag when the lights go green this Saturday.

“I’m extremely excited for this race to happen,” said Mees. “I’ve never flown overseas before and I feel very fortunate for this opportunity and to get invited to such a prestigious event. I’m confident that Brad, Shayna and I will do a good job representing America and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun competing against Marc Marquez and the other Spanish riders.”

Texter is the third and final AMA Pro Flat Track rider competing in the Superprestigio. The 23-year-old Pennsylvanian is the first female rider to win an AMA Pro Flat Track main event, which she first did in 2011 when she took the GNC2 checkered flag at Knoxville.

“I’m thrilled to be able to represent America and compete against my fellow competitors here in the states as well as Marc Marquez and the rest of the competition on such a big stage,” said Texter. “I feel most comfortable on a 450cc motorcycle and fortunately that’s what I’ll be racing on this weekend. This is going to be a great event.”

Additional AMA Pro Flat Track flavor will come from flagger Kevin Clark, who will be participating in the Superprestigio for the second straight year.

Kenny Noyes, the reigning FIM CEV International Superbike champion, is also slated to compete in the event for the second time, bringing the total number of American riders entered in the event to four.

Commentary for the broadcast will be handled by English MotoGP announcer Gregory Haines and AMA Pro Flat Track legend Chris Carr. The expertise Carr brings to the booth includes seven Grand National Championships and 78 victories, second all-time in GNC competition.

“While it was great to watch the Superprestigio dirt track earlier this year, I am really excited to be a part of the Fanschioce.tv team calling the action in person,” Carr said. “I look forward to seeing our last two Grand National Champions, Jared Mees and Brad Baker, as well as everybody’s fan favorite, Shayna Texter, take on the various world and national champions from Europe and beyond. Let the ‘Battle of Barcelona,’ commence!”

The Superprestigio is set to begin at 12:00 noon ET (9:00 a.m. PT) on Saturday, Dec. 13 and all of the action will be broadcast live on www.FansChoice.tv, the official home for live streaming of all AMA Pro Flat Track events.