Nurburgring World Superbikes: Noriyuki Haga wins race one with superb control

Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga has won the first World Superbike race of the day at the Nurburgring in style over two seconds ahead of Troy Bayliss.

The Japanese rider took to the circuit still suffering from the broken right collar bone he sustained at the Salt Lake City round a fortnight ago but showed no adversity as he took control of the race.

Germany’s Max Neukirchner thrilled the home crowd to take the final podium spot after holding off Troy Corser.

The race got underway after a delay as a storm hit the Nurburgring circuit just five minutes before the race was due to begin which sent the riders and mechanics back to their garages.

But once proceedings did get underway it was Troy Bayliss who took a brief dip into the lead before the battle began in earnest with Noriyuki Haga.

Missing from the field was Alstare Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama after he broke his right hand in a practice crash, and Gregorio Lavilla was soon to make his exit after crashing from the early bunched up crowd in the early stages.

The pair continued to battle as Bayliss tried to get into the lead whilst fellow Australian Troy Corser slotted in to third on the Yamaha behind them.

Max Neukirchner did make it in to third half way through the race though to the delight of his home fans.

Bayliss went into the lead again on lap 13, but as the Australian ran wide he handed the lead back to the injured Noriyuki Haga.

Yamaha’s Troy Corser was honing in on German Max Neukirchner and with five to go the German was just trying to hang in for a podium place at his home race.

But up front Troy Bayliss was determined to get his championship back on track as he retook the lead. But the fortune was not going all his own way as Haga put the pressure on Bayliss, he ran severely wide and with just three laps to go the Japanese rider shot through to take first place and looked certain for the win if he could just hold on.

Ant that he did to come home as winner 20.25secs ahead of Bayliss while Alstare Suzuki’s Max Neukirchner did manage to hang on for the final podium spot.

After the race winner Noriyuki Haga said: “I’m a disaster but I’m very happy for this win because I’m just passed 13 days from my broken collarbone.

“Everybody’s helped me so I’m comfortable for riding.

“I hope Yukio (Kagayama) comes back very soon.”

Nurburgring World Superbike race one results:

1 N.HAGA JPN Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1
2 T. BAYLISS AUS Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08
3 M.NEUKIRCHNER GER Team Alstare Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
4 T. CORSER AUS Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1
5 C. CHECA ESP Hannspree Ten Kate HondaHonda CBR1000RR
6 R. XAUS ESP Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08
7 M.FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08
8 F. NIETO ESP Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
9 M.TAMADA JPN Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R
10 K. MUGGERIDGE AUS D.F. Racing Honda CBR1000RR
11 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing by Grifo’sDucati 1098 RS 08
12 R. KIYONARI JPN Hannspree Ten Kate HondaHonda CBR1000RR
13 M.BIAGGI ITA Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08
14 R. LACONI FRA Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R
15 S. GIMBERT FRA Yamaha France Ipone GMTY 9a4maha YZF-R1
16 R. ROLFO ITA Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR1000RR
17 A. BADOVINI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R
18 S. NAKATOMI JPN YZF Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1
19 R. HOLLAND AUS D.F. Racing – Bertocchi Honda CBR1000RR
20 V. IANNUZZO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R