by Chase Stallo
250 Words: Brayton Breaks Through
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 | 5:20 PM
GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing) is Yamaha’s performance and racing accessory brand. GYTR products are developed and tested to the highest standards by Yamaha’s in-house factory engineers. Used extensively by the Yamaha Race Teams, these factory parts are readily available to every Yamaha rider.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintThe 33rd Superbowl of Supercross in Genoa, Italy packed plenty of star power. Americans Justin Brayton and Eli Tomac joined the French duo of Gautier Paulin and Christophe Pourcel as the main attractions in the one of Europe’s largest cities that hugs the Mediterranean Sea.
Tomac came in riding a surge of momentum after a dazzling podium performance—which included a win in the third moto—at the Monster Energy Cup. On the other side of the spectrum, Brayton was coming off a disappointing Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships, a return to JGR Yamaha and a subsequent discouraging performance at the MEC.
While many considered Tomac the heavy favorite entering the weekend, it was hard to discount Brayton in an arenacross environment—one in which he thrived in growing up on the plains of Iowa, and later in his professional career.
Brayton (center) won the King of Genoa title.
But the short track landscape played right into the hands of Tomac in the first main. It took a few laps, but he was able to get into the lead while Brayton had to slice through the pack after a dreadful start. After a second in the first main, Brayton, needing to finish ahead of Tomac in the second main, was left scrambling after Tomac pulled a holeshot. But Brayton remained patient. He applied pressure to the young phenom, which eventually lead to Tomac washing out in a corner. Brayton would go on to win the moto and the King of Genoa title.
Although Anaheim 1 is still two months away, this is a huge swing in momentum for Brayton compared with his Monster Energy Cup performance. Now, with Bercy on the horizon this weekend (a race he won in 2009), Brayton will look to continue his march through Europe, trying to build a plan toward strong results once racing returns to the U.S.
Did you like this article?
Check out CAUGHT OUTSIDE
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
One of the most successful—and controversial—team managers of all time, Larry Brooks is looking to return to the races. Page 146.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
It seems like Brayton is a legit moto warrior without any buzz. I kind of feel bad for him since he comes across like a guy without confidence, and with that a humility rarely found at the top level of any sport. He has to win something to make the media needle even budge off of the *yawn* end of the excitement dial. You would think that I would be all over that type of guy, but I guess (yawn) that his workman like attitude doesn't get-r-done for the fans...
Tomac, on the other hand, is surely a legend being written right before our eyes. Go Tomac!
I am such a tool.
Tomac didn't crash under pressure. In fact just before the wash-out, Brayton had dropped back a few bike lengths... or so the highlights showed...
Maybe Brayton likes the 250F better than the Fo50?
Props to Paulin .........the only top GP rider to show up !
JimM
Pala374
@Jesus - Brayton was losing ground than puilling it back the whole moto. Lappers did space them a little before Tomac went down. But there is no doubt he was riding hard to win. In turn forcing a mistake.
I watched live timing for the event. First Moto once Brayton got to 2nd he was gaining 7 tenths a lap on Tomac.
I do believe Tomac is better. But at this event Brayton was his equal.
Tomac and Barcia will podium in SX this year, top 3 -4 2014 and
solid contenders in 2015
JimM
Pala374
@ BigUglyManiac, I agree. I guess it shows we are a cult of personality. On the other hand, you have a J-law who does it all wrong and people can't stop talking about him..........................weird.
I'd like to see him win one just to quiet all the naysayers and the people that think he's no better than 5th-10th in a healthy field. It's just that the YZF is like the kiss of death to a decent race result.
I don't get why people talk down on Brayton so much about his results. Ya he's a quiet straight foward guy, but that's why (besides Trey Canard) he is by far my favorite racer. Quiet, down to earth racer from Iowa, who worked his butt off and had made it extremely far compared to his early days in Arenacross. He'll never complain, give you results and work hard everyday to be better. I'm stoked to see him win it, he really needed this. I hope he can do well and maybe will at Bercy (Last time he raced there, he won in 2009)
Even with a broken leg, he tied Dungey for 3rd (They gave him 4th) but he got barely any attention for it, same with Millsaps 2nd. He did stuggle in MX last year, if it wasn't for early season concussion/hand injuries and some DNF crashes he would have done a lot better. And I know theres no video of his SD SX crash last February but I saw it myself and couldn't believe he was able to race that night.
The dude is a stud, extremely humble and a good guy. He gave me a set of his mx pants at Washougal this year and I got to talk to him for a minute, was really nice even after a bad crash that ended his day. His old Mechanic (Jason Haines) for Honda is really cool too, gave his Renthal barpad at Washougal and front # plate at Lake Elsinore (JB's last one with Honda) So that was quite an honor. Hope more people give him credit when he starts mixing it up in the top 5. Screw Barcia, JB will always be Brayton to me. Good luck at Bercy and in 2013! Go JB10!!!
@Luke109x - Larrocco was much the same after his dad quit being his mechanic the last few years of his career.
Jimbo-- Tomac podium in sx this year? I don't see everything but did I miss an announcement he will be on the big block? Gotta say barring injury JB 51 will be a contender before 2015. Given the outcome of the last 30 minutes there may not even be a 2015 sx mx or at all.
250 Words?
I saw 450s out there.
Gautier Paulin doing the race - well, maybe he has an eye towards going to the US at some time - and you need to do SX for that.
The other Top GP riders - well, they / their sponsors probably are Not interested in SX, or riding in the US. They have the World Championships, and Various National Championships to do. Quite a few, do a number of National series, then, the numerous pre-GP season Internationals.
SX / Arenacross, is not Motocross - especially GP Motocross.
Where were all the Top US SX riders? - the 2 there (that I saw) are not The top SX riders. Why weren't they there, doing what they know so well? I'd never expect them to be there. They can do what they want.
All riders have (or should) have the choice of the off season races they do. GP riders and US SX and Outdoors riders.
They ALL have bigger fish to fry than a (long established) one off event.
Think a bit, they are not required to do what you want them to do - only themselves, and their sponsors. You are, I assume, Not a fan of them, so they are not 'letting you down', as it would be if you regarded yourself as 'entitled' to see them, as many 'rabid fans' of some riders seem to think they are.
@Upsman16
I am confused as well. ET on a 450 for SX?
We are still a great country. Be true to the Red White and Blue and take the high road.
UPSMAN16
Blackjack
I goofed:
Tomac will be a contender this year !
JimM
Pala374
Hooray for Justin Bray....Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
boring