BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Joe Roberts didn't want to get greedy when it came to his birthday wishes on last Sunday.

"I got a skateboard," the 16-year-old said. "Me and my friends have been getting into skateboarding. I didn't want to ask for anything more from my dad. He does a lot."

Like paying for Roberts' other venture - racing SuperSport motorcycles.

The teenager's 16th birthday made him eligible to compete and he took full advantage as he won the Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race during today's action in the Triumph SuperBike Classic at Barber Motorsports Park.

"It's cool to come out and win," the rookie said. "I think I had the worst start ever. I wheelieed bad off the line and about six riders went by me. By the first lap, I was up to about fourth."

Once he gathered himself, he came back, took a lead and then managed the gap he created with his Honda CBR600RR to the end.

Roberts was one of two rookies to make the podium. Nick McFadden also turned 16 on last Sunday and was third behind runner-up Tomas Puerta, who rode a Yamaha YZF-R6.

"I didn't really know what to expect, this being my first race," McFadden said. "I just hung back there for a while."

McFadden, who rode a Suzuki GSX-R600, was fourth behind Hayden Gillim, who kept looking back. That gave the 16-year-old a hint that he could move up, passing Gillim on the back straightaway.

"At the end on the last two laps, I just put my head down," he said, "and tried to get away as much as I could."