Timely Double for Noriyuki Haga
The veteran team leader for Ducati claimed both victories at the Kyalami WSBK weekend, extending his comfortable lead in the championship. Once again, arch-rival Ben Spies (Yamaha) collected the Superpole, his 6th of the season, but Failed had to suffer another set-back even tough he collected his sixth Superpole, by a minuscule 0.001 sec., the smallest time unit the system can differentiate. It all came to almost naught in the two races, with one 3rd place and a DNF to show for his efforts.
In the first race, the Japanese veteran got the jump at the start, but had to give way to team mate Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) mid-race, before returning to the front and making the most of the ensuing battle between the Italian and Spies.
Spies and Fabrizio scrapped over second until the American, once again, made a mistake and allowed the Ducati back through at the flag, while Jonathan Rea (Honda) kept his nerve to deny a determined Max Biaggi on the run to the flag to round out the top five.
For the second race also, Haga got the holeshot but had to make way for Ben Spies in the early stages. Whether the American could have denied the points-leader his double will be for us to imagine because on Spies' Yamaha coughed and died on lap 3, allowing Haga back ahead and into a comfortable lead.
Jonathan Rea, meanwhile, held off Max Biaggi for much of the race - as he had in race one - and then survived a late assault from fellow Briton Leon Haslam to claim the final podium spot.
WSBK Kyalami Race No.1 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 24 laps
2. Michel Fabrizio Ducati +0.950s
3. Ben Spies Yamaha +3.391s
4. Jonathan Rea Honda +8.914s
5. Max Biaggi Aprilia Racing +9.019s
6. Carlos Checa Honda +14.812s
7. ..................
WSBK Kyalami Race No.2 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 24 laps
2. Michel Fabrizio Ducati + 0.322s
3. Jonathan Rea Honda +8.936s
4. Leon Haslam Honda +10.561s
5. Max Biaggi Aprilia +10.767s
6. Carlos Checa Honda +12.413s
7. .................
WSBK Championship – After six rounds
Rider Points
1-Noriyuki Haga 250 points
2-Michel Fabrizio 165 points
3-Ben Spies 162 points
4-Leon Haslam 116 points
5-Jonathan Rea 106 points
6-..........
photo:WSBK
The veteran team leader for Ducati claimed both victories at the Kyalami WSBK weekend, extending his comfortable lead in the championship. Once again, arch-rival Ben Spies (Yamaha) collected the Superpole, his 6th of the season, but Failed had to suffer another set-back even tough he collected his sixth Superpole, by a minuscule 0.001 sec., the smallest time unit the system can differentiate. It all came to almost naught in the two races, with one 3rd place and a DNF to show for his efforts.
In the first race, the Japanese veteran got the jump at the start, but had to give way to team mate Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) mid-race, before returning to the front and making the most of the ensuing battle between the Italian and Spies.
Spies and Fabrizio scrapped over second until the American, once again, made a mistake and allowed the Ducati back through at the flag, while Jonathan Rea (Honda) kept his nerve to deny a determined Max Biaggi on the run to the flag to round out the top five.
For the second race also, Haga got the holeshot but had to make way for Ben Spies in the early stages. Whether the American could have denied the points-leader his double will be for us to imagine because on Spies' Yamaha coughed and died on lap 3, allowing Haga back ahead and into a comfortable lead.
Jonathan Rea, meanwhile, held off Max Biaggi for much of the race - as he had in race one - and then survived a late assault from fellow Briton Leon Haslam to claim the final podium spot.
WSBK Kyalami Race No.1 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 24 laps
2. Michel Fabrizio Ducati +0.950s
3. Ben Spies Yamaha +3.391s
4. Jonathan Rea Honda +8.914s
5. Max Biaggi Aprilia Racing +9.019s
6. Carlos Checa Honda +14.812s
7. ..................
WSBK Kyalami Race No.2 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 24 laps
2. Michel Fabrizio Ducati + 0.322s
3. Jonathan Rea Honda +8.936s
4. Leon Haslam Honda +10.561s
5. Max Biaggi Aprilia +10.767s
6. Carlos Checa Honda +12.413s
7. .................
WSBK Championship – After six rounds
Rider Points
1-Noriyuki Haga 250 points
2-Michel Fabrizio 165 points
3-Ben Spies 162 points
4-Leon Haslam 116 points
5-Jonathan Rea 106 points
6-..........
photo:WSBK