World Superbikes: Round 2, Race 1 Results
Spies Dominant in Desert Duel
Yamaha Italia’s Ben Spies took the new R1 to victory in the first race of Round 2 of the World Superbike Championship at Losail, Qatar. Spies rode a perfect race, content to stay close to the leading group. Once he took the lead with 7 laps to go, he was never threatened. World Championship points leader and factory Xerox Ducati rider, Noriyuki Haga was forced to settle for second as his V-twin proved uncompetitive on the long front straight against the more powerful 4 cylinder machines. Max Biaggi was impressive on the Aprilia RSV4, this time not running off on the last lap to take third on the rapidly improving Aprilia.
Biaggi led off from the flag on the new Aprilia RSV4 with Noriyuiki Haga slotting in behind in second with Smrz 3rd and pole sitter Spies in 4th, although Nakano moved past Spies within a lap. Kagayama run off the track and Neukirchner followed in kind in the same spot a lap later dashing his hope of a strong followup to his 2nd place in Round 1 at Phillip Island.
On the third lap, Haga began to creep up on Biaggi setting the fastest lap so far. Spies moved into 3rd after a double draft passing both Smrz and Nakano down the long 1 km straight. Haga looked uncharacteristic on the factory Xerox Ducati taking smooth lines maintaing high mid corner speed in contrast to the more spectacular style we have become accustomed to in recent years.
With 5 laps down, Spies had closed up on the leaders making it Aprilia, Ducati and Yamaha at the front with a gap to Nakano, Smrz, Checa and Byrne. Shortly later Smrz dropped the Ducati, high siding off into the kitty litter at the final turn.
As the race reached mid distance, Biaggi led from Haga and Spies, the trio almost 4 seconds ahead of the chasing pack led by Nakano on the 2nd Aprilia. The leaders seemed to be content to ride together, possibly concerned about how the tires would last over the full race distance. Twice over a couple of laps, Haga was forced to bobble as he almost ran into the back of the Aprilia, the Japanese’s riding style clashing with his Roman competitor.
With 7 laps to go, Haga had a go at out braking Biaggi at the end of the front straight, thought better of it, and let Spies through who was riding high on the double draft. A few corners later Biaggi ran a little wide and that was all the invitation Spies needed to move into the lead for the first time. Nori almost immediately shot past Biaggi and went in pursuit of Spies. It was short lived though as Biaggi came past on the next straight, the Ducati, after years of domination, finally being shown to be visibly slower than its 4 cylinder competitors, the effect exacerbated at the first two rounds of the championship because of the long main straights.
With 3 laps to go Spies was comfortably in the lead with Biaggi and Haga still dicing it out for second. increasingly desperate, Haga went around the outside of Biaggi and made it stick, picking up 4 more critical points for his championship chase if he could hold it to the line.
Spies shot across the start finish line to begin his last lap, less than 2 minutes away from making it 2 wins from 3 attempts, Biaggi used the superior power of the V4 Aprilia to pass Haga and slot back into 2nd place. Haga immediately came back at him and re-took the position.
Spies took the checkered flag 1.9 seconds ahead of Haga who was just 2/10th ahead of Biaggi, with Nakano making it a great day for Aprilia bringing the second machine home in 4th some 10 seconds further behind.
So Spies proved he wasn’t a one hit wonder but Haga did what is necessary to come away from the first two away circuits with a bag full of points before the season proper begins in Europe. What will happen in race 2? Will Spies do the double, will Biaggi give the RSV4 it’s maiden win and can Haga hang in at the front and make up for his horsepower deficit? Roll on Race 2!!
Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike): “It was an extremely tough race, I had an OK start and when I got to the back of Nori and Max, we were all very strong on separate parts of the track. I was lacking a little bit off the last corner and it was very hard to make the pass, but once past, I put my head down and was able to keep it clean for the win despite a couple of mistakes.”
Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox): “It was quite hard at the end, I got a good start and after a few laps I was able to pass Max on the straight. A few laps more and he passed me again and it was difficult for me to catch up. I pushed on the last lap and did it and was very happy with the result.”
Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing): “I tried to keep up and have a good rhythm without losing concentration. We have a new bike and every session we try to improve, but it’s not easy to win right away. These guys did a great job, I rode very hard and today I was comfy, both front and rear, and looking good.”
link: :: SBK – Official Site ::
Results: Race 1, Round 2 – Losail, Qatar
1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36’06.304 (160,93 kph)
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1.893
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 2.168
4 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 12.061
5 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 12.597
6 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 12.971
7 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 13.570
8 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 19.306
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 19.388
10 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 20.981
11 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 21.164
12 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 21.994
13 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 22.917
14 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 27.218
15 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 31.602
16 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 33.934
17 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 47.496
18 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 47.505
19 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 59.278
20 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 59.295
21 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 59.338
22 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’04.008
RET 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
RET 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
RET 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
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