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Spies clinched Yamaha's first ever WSB title at Portimao

Spies clinches WSB title after epic rookie season

By Michael Guy -

World Superbikes

26 October 2009 08:58

At the end of another epic World Superbike season, American rookie Ben Spies clinched the title by just six points from veteran Noriyuki Haga.

In a season that was expected to be wide open with countless race winners the year was utterly dominated by the two men who claimed a staggering 22 wins and 39 podiums between them in the 14-round series.

But Spies delivered on his pre race promise to win his and Yamaha's first ever WSB crown with an emphatic weekend performance that included a record breaking 11th pole and 14 race wins.

Spies said: "I honestly feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off of me.

"It's been a great year with all the wins and the poles. It's my first year in the series and to win Yamaha's first title is huge.

"It's been a year of firsts from the championship to the bike, tyres, suspension and living in Italy it was great, but man it was tough.

"We came back from the biggest point's deficit ever so there have been a lot of firsts."

For the second time in the last six races, Xerox Ducati team-mate Michel Fabrizio, by winning the second race, took points away from Haga - points that would have theoretically gifted Haga his first title.

Despite this Haga remained defiant that he is not interested in his team-mate helping him become champion.

"I told the team at Magny Cours that I don't want team orders. I want to win the title by myself, today I lost the championship. This is racing."

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Spies clinches WSB title after epic rookie season

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Beer&Darts says

Ivebeenthehero

I presume that was directed at me, so I refer to my post in which I did indeed post a counter-view:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/community/Forums/Categories/Topic/?topic-id=377251&message-id=4305854&__ia=message4305854#message4305854

I think you make a fair point, although you can plainly see that I disagree with it - that is the nature of a debate, which is wonderful thing. I think that proper debates can only be conducted by those who can justify what they say. I find that a post can be truly offensive (even if they aren't personal) when they seek to criticise people, crow about it when they believe they have been proven right over and over again and then don't respond when their views are challenged - such posts are offensive to the intelligence of all here that engage in proper debate. I refer to the post of the individual I lambasted earlier.

And the point I was trying to make was that the claim that "hagas bot good enough [quote: dowdy. p]" cannot be justified. He didn't win, he made mistakes - both of which you've noted - but nobody can ever say that and justify it, especially not an armchair racer like "dowdy. p".

I'm obviously an admirer of Haga but I would never let that detract from Spies' achievements. I don't feel the need to crticise him and don't feel bitter. Why people try to bellitle the best riders in the world at every opportunity is beyond me and I think that attitude sucks. They all provide us with entertainment that we would be much the poorer without and they deserve more respect than they often get.

27 October 2009 14:55

demonfirebladesays

The championship went to the best racer on the day. No one can take anything away from Nori's efforts. He tried hard in 2nd race but that was not enough. He had raced with and beat some of the best racers in this sport so those who said he's not good enough are talking nonsense.

27 October 2009 13:27

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Ivebeenthehero says

Just opinions

I agreed with what someone said recently when JT finished last and it got real heated on here. Which is let people say what they want on this site (so long as not really offensive or personal) and if you disagree just put your counter view. We shouldn't get upset if someone on this site chooses to criticise Haga even if his timing is a bit untactful! At the end of the day Haga is a big boy that got paid a shed load of money to win the championship. My personal view is that Haga's championship credentials were put in doubt when he crashed the Ducati three times the first time he rode it. Sure he was unlucky to be against a certain Ben Spies but how many times can a real champion be unlucky? But that is just my opinion, lets hear yours.

27 October 2009 12:36

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Beer&Dartssays

dowdy. p

Ahh ... "dowdy. p". There you go once again, polluting this good website with your unsubtantiated, ill-considered and unwarranted opinions. You are a self-important waste of web-space.

I'd have thought that after posting this same horse-shit on four occasions on under different articles (people, take a look at this guy's profile page) that you'd have finally got the message, but clearly you haven't. Let me spell it out for you: Nobody here agrees with you, or has a bad word to say about Haga or his acheivements apart from you.

I personally couldn't give a fuck that you say that predicted that "hagas not good enough" six months ago - do you want a medal or something? Do want people to tell you how wonderful you are? A round of applause perhaps? Wake up and get real.

You need to have a word with yourself about why you think it's clever to go on until the cows come home about the so-called failings of well-loved and respected riders. What are your issues? Seriously, you should seek professional help about your problem and in the meantime - if you can't even give a fraction of the justification that your comments require - pack it in.

27 October 2009 00:38

Stradacaster says

So there you have it, Ben Spies dominated WSB and didn't piss off everybody in doing it. Will he do the same in MotoGP? Not nearly as easy a task dominating the likes of Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, and even the Pedrobott! But Ben won't be 'lost' out there like Toseland is, he has already run as a wild card in two previous MotoGP's and blew away the Suzuki factory riders while riding their 'mule. bike! It may take him a little while to get on pace with the front runners, but the chances are good that that is just what he will do.

2010 looks to be a stunner, what with Rossi defending, Stoner in winning form again, Lorenzo vastly improving, Hayden starting to come to grips with the Ducati, and Spies adding additional interest to the field.

26 October 2009 22:46

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