NORIYUKI HAGA (Ducati Xerox) dominated both races in round 3 of the Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. In front of 65,000 spectators the Japanese rider notched up wins number 35 and 36 in his ten-year long World Superbike career to lead the table with 135 points. Team-mate Michel Fabrizio also had a positive weekend, the young Italian taking second and third while the remaining podium places went to Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Alstare) in race 1 and rookie Texan Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) in the second encounter.
Noriyuki Haga: "Not so bad! Anyway I had a good feeling this weekend, bike and the team have both been working well. At the start it was good but I had already decided I would go into the lead in the early laps. Finally I kept my own race. Of course I want to win both races today but it's not so easy. I now have a very good feeling with this bike, it is so easy to ride, that's why I was able to push, also I did very consistent laps with this tyre.
"We did a great job this weekend. I think one of the reasons is that after Qatar I did some ‘age training! But anyway today 50 points is a great advantage over Ben and I'm very happy with this double win."
Michel Fabrizio: "For me Valencia is very difficult but this result is fantastic. I grew a beard to bring me good luck, and it worked so maybe I will keep it now! It's a great result for the team, we have worked very well from Friday after the first disappointing couple of races.
"I didn't expect these results here at Valencia, at the most a top 5 position, because it's a difficult track for me. I'm really happy, the team gave me a lot of confidence. It was a really tough battle with Laconi, who was right behind me throughout the race. He brakes really late, I'm amazed he never managed to pass me!"
Max Neukirchner: "Even for us it was really hard. We were always in the top 10 this weekend but didn't find perfect set-up. But during the practices we changed some things and in the end we found a very good way and I am so happy to finish on the podium. I was in second place for so long, but even with this result I'm so glad for my team and our new sponsor."
Ben Spies: "I was trying as hard as we could in the first couple of laps, but had a couple of problems and didn't quite get rolling. By the time we got into second, I would have needed to be right on the back of Nori to stay with him because he was riding at a really good pace. I just didn't quite have those 3 or 4 tenths today so I will come back at Assen and try to step it up."
WSB Valencia Results - Race One:
1. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 36'44.766 (150,408 kph)
2. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 3.677;
3. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 3.959;
4. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 4.210;
5. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 13.824;
6. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 14.562;
7. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 15.155;
8. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 16.316;
9. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 098R 20.361;
10. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 23.878;
11. Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR30.902;
12. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 31.298;
13.Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 32.660;
14. Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 42.156;
15. Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 43.040
WSB Valencia Results - Race Two:
1. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 36'46.927 (150,261 kph)
2. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 5.105;
3. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 6.386;
4. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 6.573;
5. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 14.075;
6. Checa C. (ESP)Honda CBR1000RR 17.333;
7. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 19.207;
8. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 20.697;
9. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 21.015;
10. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 22.581;
11. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 22.604;
12. Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR 23.952;
13. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 29.082;
14. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 29.277;
15. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 32.384
WSB Valencia Championship Standings:
1. Haga 135;
2. Spies 95;
3. Neukirchner 65;
4. Fabrizio 60;
5. Haslam 58;
6. Laconi 56;
7. Biaggi 54;
8. Sykes 47;
9. Kagayama 35;
10. Rea 33.
WSB Valencia Manufacturers' Title:
1. Ducati 145;
2. Yamaha 110;
3. Honda 73;
4. Suzuki 65;
5. Aprilia 57;
6. BMW 31;
7. Kawasaki 8
Next Round: Assen - 24-26 April
