2009 WSB Portimao preview
22-10-09 by Bracksy
The fireworks are about to begin! Bring on the final round of the 2009 World Superbike Championship! What a fitting finale to an enthralling season it will prove to be at the sensational Portimao circuit in Portugal this weekend with the battle between Ben Spies and Noriyuki Haga finally coming to a conclusion.
At the circuits WSB christening in 2008, Australia’s Troy Bayliss (Ducati) toyed with the opposition at Portimao, as the 4.59km circuit became an instant favourite with its blend of fast sweepers, tight hairpins and changes in elevation.
This year will be much closer as Noriyuki Haga (Xerox Ducati) leads the series by just 10 points with two races to go. His only rival to claiming a long awaited championship is triple AMA Superbike Champion, Ben Spies on the Yamaha who has been the revelation of this year’s series. There is a bit of irony there with Haga up against his old team who he finished 7th with in the title last year.
“Last year at Portimao didn’t go to plan; I had some bad luck. This year I am in a better position and now everything comes down to this last event,” said Haga.
“My strategy won’t be any different from normal; I always go out with the aim to win and I always give 100 per cent.
“I’ve finished second or third in the last five editions of the superbike championship and so all I am missing is the title win, a title I hope to be able to bring home to Ducati and to Japan this weekend.”
At many times throughout the season Spies has definitely been in a class of his own looking at times to walk away with the title but mechanical woes and a couple of crashes have brought him back to the fold so it is shaping up as a scriptwriters dream finish.
“I can’t wait to get to the circuit and get set up for Sunday’s races,” said Ben Spies. “We’ve been fighting hard for race wins all year, and as a rookie on a new bike I think we’ve achieved some pretty good results.
“My focus is completely on going for two race wins on Sunday, I would love to be able to deliver the title for the team as they really deserve it and have worked so hard to make it possible.
“We do go well on the Portimao circuit, so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to challenge Nori for the wins. There will be a few fast guys up there as always so it should be an exciting race day.”
34-year-old Haga has had his own misfortunes with that massive crash at Donington caused a number of injuries but he is back and proved it at the previous round at Magny Cours last month.
Nori-san will be the sentimental favourite to claim the massive bronze SBK trophy this weekend especially considering how close he went years ago on the Yamaha R7 before a controversial drug test thwarted the title that should have been his.
Bet your bottom dollar that there will definitely be team orders in the Ducati pit with Michel Fabrizio but there is no need for them as Michel has stated his intentions to do everything possible to help his team mate Haga take the elusive crown.
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Tags: Ben Spies, Ducati, Noriyuki Haga, Portimao, World Superbike, yamaha
