Spies wins Race One to take title lead
BEN Spies pipped Noriyuki Haga to the win in today's first World Superbike race from Magny Cours to take a two point lead in the championship.
Spies, who had led from lights to flag, ended up having to ride a defensive last lap after a late charge from Haga.
What looked like it was going to be another easy win for the Texan Yamaha rider rapidly turned into a close fight in the closing two laps, as Haga pulled the pin and made a last ditch bid for victory.
Spies had looked strong from the moment the lights changed, grabbing the holeshot and leading into the first corner ahead of Aprilia's Max Biaggi and Jonathan Rea.
As Rea scorched past Biaggi midway through the opening lap, it looked like it would turn into a fight between Spies and the Ten Kate Honda rider, while Biaggi and Haga battle it out for third.
But Rea vanished on Lap Eight with a technical problem, giving Spies clear space to eke out a comfortable lead as Biaggi and Haga continued their scrap behind.
Haga finally made the pass on Biaggi on Lap 18 of the 24 lap race, and despite an attempt by the Roman Emperor to claim it back a lap later, it was too late, and Haga had just one thing on his mind - catching Spies.
As the final few laps played out, Haga got closer and closer, and it seemed he finally had the chance on the last lap when a mistake by Spies took the Yamaha wide.
Nori shoved the red Xerox Ducati down the inside but wasn't able to make it stick, as Spies recovered instantly to take back the spot.
Half a lap later the pair crossed the line, Spies taking the win by around 100 of a second.
"It was a tough race at the end with Nori charging up on me like he did," said Spies. "I did make a few mistakes out there and then Nori suddenly became strong in the last six laps.
"I think now we need to try and make the bike a bit better and come back strong in Race Two. I think we're both taking it like we're second at the moment, at least I know I am and there's three races left so everything is to play for."
Haga meanwhile believes one more lap would've given him the win. "If we'd just had that one more lap then for sure, I could've had it.
"I was pushing all the way when I was behind Max, and then when I finally passed I just did everything I could to catch Ben.
"On the last lap I was just thinking about Ben making a mistake, and when he did I tried to make the pass but finally I was second. It was a great race and I am happy."
Spies now leads the championship on 413 points to Haga's 411.
Race Result:
1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 37'57.110 (160,392 kph)
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 0.181
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 5.009
4 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 16.347
5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 22.622
6 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 24.948
7 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 27.144
8 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 27.578
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 28.486
10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 28.716
11 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 52.680
12 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'01.372
13 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'05.123
14 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'05.483
15 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'05.672
16 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'29.284
17 40 Gentile F. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 22 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory
RET 132 Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Ducati 1098R
RET 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1
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