Haga: “2010 will be the hardest year to win”

Noriyuki Haga has told MCN that he is expecting 2010 to be the hardest season to win the World Superbike championship due to the incredible depth of field of world class riders.

The 2000, 2007 and 2009 runner-up believes that unlike last year where the title battle was between just two riders, in 2010 there will be more than one rider he has to beat.

He said:  “Last year it was just Ben and myself who were fast. Sometimes Biaggi, Rea and Fabrizio but mainly it was just the two of us.

“This year there are many fast riders, Toseland is back and for sure he will arrive at the front so every race will be difficult. I think this year will be the hardest year to win.”

Haga has also played down the effects of long time Ducati team manger Davide Tardozzi leaving the factory squad at the end of 2009.

“Tardozzi is the most successful team manger in WSB history and has begun a new challenge of heading up the BMW Motorrad WSB squad of Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.

Haga said: “For me nothing has changed. My job is to race, not to communicate with the team manager.

“If Davide decided to leave it is no problem for me. Everything is under control – I am ready.”