World Superbikes: Round 9, Race 1 Results from Donington
Spies Makes it 9, Biaggi Shines
Yamaha’s Ben Spies made it 9 race wins this season following his flag to flag victory in the first race of the 9th round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park in the UK. Max Biaggi on the Aprilia RSV4 shadowed Spies all the way as they almost continually ran at lap record pace for his best finish of the year. Noriyuki Haga was 3rd unable to ride at the pace of the two leaders but collecting valuable points.
The race would have been a lot closer if Biaggi hadn’t slowed dramatically on the last lap looking like his bike was running out of fuel. The Brits put in a reasonable showing with Leon Haslam taking 4th ahead of Shane Byrne who had another good result following his success at Misano. John Hopkins impressed with his return to the series following recovery from his fractured pelvis with 8th whilst Michel Fabrizio failed to capitalize on his 2nd row start and finished well down the order in 12th.
Ben Spies: “It was a tough race for us, Max was there the whole time and we were both able to do quick laps. I got a bit of a gap then made a couple of mistakes and he got back on me. The last three laps I rode as hard as I could, we got down to the 30s, then I couldn’t hear Max coming into the chicane on the last lap so knew something was wrong and I took the last corners easy. We can’t be too conservative now, we have to claw back and get a whole lot of points in a couple of races.”
Max Biaggi: “I am very happy with this result after a very hard decision we made in free practice and qualifying. Yesterday we found a way to go fast and we made the right choice in tyres and the balance was correct. In the warm-up we had some problems but for the race we fixed most of them. Just on the last lap at the last chicane we had some trouble, I don’t know what, the bike just stopped and then went back again in the last few metres before the flag. I think I deserved second!”
Noriyuki Haga: “I tried to do my best but the front two guys were very fast. I tried to catch up for the victory but I had to settle for third position. Of course during the laps I tried to push and catch them up but it was quite difficult. Our package was quite different but for the next race we try to change something to improve the riding of the bike.”
link: World Superbike Official Site
Will Ben do the double or will Max give the Aprilia RSV4 it’s first win and can Haga find more speed? All will be answered in race 2.
World Superbike Results: Race 1 from Donington Park
1) Ben Spies Yamaha World Superbike Yamaha YZF R1
2) Max Biaggi Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4
3) Noriyuki Haga Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
4) Leon Haslam Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR
5) Shane Byrne Team Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R
6) Shinya Nakano Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4
7) Jonathan Rea HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
8 ) John Hopkins Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR
9) Jakub Smrz Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
10) Ryuichi Kiyonari Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR
11) Carlos Checa HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
12) Michel Fabrizio Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
13) Leon Caimer Airwaves Yamaha Yamaha
14) Lorenzo Lanzi DFX Corse Ducati 1098R
15) Ruben Xaus BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
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