With a record-breaking Superpole, two race wins and a new race lap record, World Superbike Yamaha's Ben Spies enjoyed a flawless weekend at the Losail circuit, making it three victories in four races.
But the current AMA Superbike champion had to work hard for victory in both races after less than perfect starts left him behind Ducati Xerox Team's Noriyuki Haga and Aprilia's Max Biaggi on each occasion.
In the first race, Spies even dropped to fifth but he battled his way back to the front and, on lap 14, he took advantage of some minor errors made by his two rivals to take the lead. After that, the Yamaha rider was never threatened.
The second race had somewhat of the same scenario but it was easier for Spies to get back the lead and claim his second victory in front of Haga again.
"He (Haga) set a really good pace in the first few laps," Spies said. "In the first race we were lacking just a little bit in acceleration and it was hard to race with him. In the second race I put my head down and tried to close up. It was a better race for me than the first one because I was able to concentrate on my lines and ride my own race."
Haga still leads the championship with 85 points, 10 more than Ben spies who is now in second place.
With three victories and two poles positions after two rounds, Spies is surprising all of the motorcycle racing world, except maybe for arch rival Mat Mladin whom he beat to win three AMA Superbike titles before "graduating" to World Superbike.
Losail Race 1
Pos.Rider MakeGap
119 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'06.304 (160,93 kph)
241 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.893 sec.
33 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 2.168 sec.
456 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 12.061 sec.
57 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 12.597 sec.
667 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 12.971 sec.
766 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 13.570 sec.
89 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 19.306 sec.
911 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 19.388 sec.
1055 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 20.981 sec.
Losail Race 2
Pos. Driver MakeGap
1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'02.126 (161,241 kph)
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.274
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1.622
4 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1.845
5 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 5.117
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 9.512
7 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 9.514
8 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.621
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 13.842
10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 13.884
photo:Yamaha
But the current AMA Superbike champion had to work hard for victory in both races after less than perfect starts left him behind Ducati Xerox Team's Noriyuki Haga and Aprilia's Max Biaggi on each occasion.
In the first race, Spies even dropped to fifth but he battled his way back to the front and, on lap 14, he took advantage of some minor errors made by his two rivals to take the lead. After that, the Yamaha rider was never threatened.
The second race had somewhat of the same scenario but it was easier for Spies to get back the lead and claim his second victory in front of Haga again.
"He (Haga) set a really good pace in the first few laps," Spies said. "In the first race we were lacking just a little bit in acceleration and it was hard to race with him. In the second race I put my head down and tried to close up. It was a better race for me than the first one because I was able to concentrate on my lines and ride my own race."
Haga still leads the championship with 85 points, 10 more than Ben spies who is now in second place.
With three victories and two poles positions after two rounds, Spies is surprising all of the motorcycle racing world, except maybe for arch rival Mat Mladin whom he beat to win three AMA Superbike titles before "graduating" to World Superbike.
Losail Race 1
Pos.Rider MakeGap
119 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'06.304 (160,93 kph)
241 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.893 sec.
33 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 2.168 sec.
456 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 12.061 sec.
57 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 12.597 sec.
667 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 12.971 sec.
766 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 13.570 sec.
89 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 19.306 sec.
911 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 19.388 sec.
1055 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 20.981 sec.
Losail Race 2
Pos. Driver MakeGap
1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36'02.126 (161,241 kph)
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.274
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1.622
4 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1.845
5 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 5.117
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 9.512
7 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 9.514
8 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.621
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 13.842
10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 13.884
photo:Yamaha