WSBK: 2009 Kyalami Results

Ducati Xerox has thrown that pre-season prediction out the window with a double one-two finish at the May 15-17 round in Kyalami, South Africa. Noriyuki Haga rebounded from a collision with a bird in the previous race with a pair of victories giving him six wins in 12 races.

My arm was not a problem at all during the racing, says Haga. I must say I was very glad to see there are less birds here at Kyalami than at Monza

Race One started with Yamaha s Ben Spies once again on the pole. Spies has proven to be the master of the Superpole, qualifying first at every round this season. The prime starting position didnt help Spies that much as Haga and Fabrizio finished the first lap ahead of him.

Haga led the first lap and Fabrizio led the next ten before Haga retook control to lead the final half of the 24-lap race. Fabrizio and Spies battled for the final two podium spots but Spies slipped off his footpegs during one altercation, giving Fabrizio the advantage.

We were struggling to hang in there in race one, it was a good race for all three of us up at the front, says Spies. When I passed Michel I tried to reel in Nori and then unfortunately made a mistake. I was really strong in parts of the track but giving up too much time in some corners and couldnt get in there.

Race Two began with Haga and Spies trading the lead for the first two laps. Their battle was short-lived however as the shift linkage on Spies R1 broke on lap three, forcing the American to retire.

With Spies out of the way, Haga and Fabrizio separated themselves from the pack. Haga led for 23 of the races 24 laps. Fabrizio made a couple of final-lap challenges but Haga was able to recover each time and crossed the finish line 0.322 seconds ahead of his teammate. Ten Kate Honda s Jonathan Rea finished third for his first career WSBK podium.

The second race was very unfortunate, I was feeling good and had secured an early lead, then obviously had the technical problem and had to retire, says Spies. Im really disappointed about it. Im looking forward to going home to the U.S.A. for the next round and seeing if we can make it up.

Haga leaves Kyalami with an 85-point lead in the standings. Fabrizios two runner-up finishes moves him past Spies into second place.

Spies will have his chance to respond as the 2009 WSBK Championship returns May 29-31 to a track hes much more familiar with, Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.