Spies scores superb Qatar double

From worldsbk.com

Yamaha's WSBK rookie rider Ben Spies took a spectacular double win in the second round of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Texan powered to his third win in the opening four races, dominating both 18-lappers and twice finishing ahead of Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia), who were classified second and third to make up identical podiums.

In race one poleman Spies made his attack six laps from the end, and immediately pulled out a gap that allowed him to manage his lead until the flag.

"It was an extremely tough race," Spies said. "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."

There was a great scrap for the runner-up slot between Haga and Biaggi, with the Japanese rider getting the nod. For Aprilia it was the first podium since returning to WSBK, and the Italian manufacturer's competitiveness was confirmed by fourth place for Shinya Nakano.

"I tried to keep up and have a good rhythm without losing concentration," Biaggi said. "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."

Fifth went to Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate), the first Honda rider to the flag, who managed to hold off the attacks of the determined British duo of Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati) and Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike).

Troy Corser scored an encouraging ninth place for BMW, while Kawasaki notched up its first points in this year's championship with a 14th place for Broc Parkes.

Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Alstare) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) had disappointing races, both riders crashing out.

Spies also went on to take the win in race 2, confirming himself and his Yamaha to be the strongest combination in this early part of the season. This time the Texan had a different strategy, taking control in the early laps of the race and then gradually pulling away.

"Nori set a really good pace the first few laps," Spies said. "We were lacking just a little in acceleration and it was hard to race with him, but I put my head down and closed up, kept the same rhythm and passed him.

"It was a better race for me than the first one because I could concentrate on my lines, but it's going to be hard making up points on him if he keeps finishing second. It was a perfect weekend, they're not always going to be like that but we'll take them when we can."

Behind there was another terrific scrap for the runner-up slot between Haga and Biaggi, and once again second place went to the Japanese rider, who holds on to his points lead in the table.

"I am really tired but happy for the result in race two," Haga said. "When Ben passed me, I tried to stay with him but he is very fast. In one second he was going to 100 metres so I could not catch him. We made a good job, and I am leading the championship. Today, for me, Ben is 10 years younger than me so that's why I lose!"

Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda Racing) scored an excellent fourth place, but was unable to get in amongst the podium battle. Fifth place went to Sykes, while Neukirchner just got the edge over Nakano in a photo-finish.

BMW made a major leap forward with Corser running fifth in the early stages, both the Australian and Ruben Xaus scoring top 10 points finishes.

Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) had a day to forget with a second DNF finish in two races.

The second round of the Supersport World Championship in Qatar saw the crowning of a new talent in World Supersport.

Thanks to a perfect slipstreaming dash to the line, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) scored his first win in the category. The Irish rider held off the attacks from reigning champion Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) to take the win.

Former points leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) only finished fourth after making a mistake at the final curve, which opened the door for Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) to gain his first WSS podium.

Seven Hondas placed in the first 10 positions, including the Veidec Racing and Hannspree Althea machines of Robbin Harms and Matthieu Lagrive in fifth and sixth.

Garry McCoy took the ParkinGO Triumph 675 to an encouraging seventh place.

Race One Results
1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36:06.304 (160.93 km/h)
2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R +1.893
3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 +2.168
4. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 +12.061
5. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR +12.597
6. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R +12.971
7. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 +13.570
8. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR +19.306
9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR +19.388
10. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R +20.981
11. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR +21.164
12. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR +21.994
13. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR +22.917
14. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R +27.218
15. Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR +31.602

Race Two Results
1. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 36:02.126 (161.241 km/h)
2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R +1.274
3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 +1.622
4. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR +1.845
5. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 +5.117
6. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 +9.512
7. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 +9.514
8. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR +12.621
9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR +13.842
10. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR +13.884
11. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR +13.888
12. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R +14.913
13. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR +15.762
14. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R +15.920
15. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 +19.565

Points (after 2 of 14 rounds)
1. Haga 85
2. Spies 75
3. Neukirchner 40
4. Biaggi 38
5. Haslam 36
6. Sykes 32
7. Laconi 30
8. Rea 30
9. Nakano 27
10. Kagayama 25