Haga: “I’m going there to win”

World Superbike series leader Noriyuki Haga has declared his intention of winning races in Portimao in an effort to secure his elusive first WSB crown. Haga currently leads the championship standings by ten points ahead of factory Yamaha man Ben Spies. With one round, two races and 50 points still available either man can be crowned champion on Sunday.

Spies knows that a double win in Portugal will be enough to win the title regardless of Haga’s finishing position, making it crucial for the Japanese rider to take at least one victory.

Haga’s race form in Portimao leaves a lot to be desired after a shocking weekend at the new track in 2008. Having retired in race one and slumped to 14th in race two after a jump-start, Haga lost second in the title standings to his Yamaha team-mate Troy Corser.

More recently Haga set the third fastest lap time in testing at the track in January behind Ben Spies and Britain’s Shane Byrne.

Haga said: “Last year at Portimao didn’t go to plan; I had some bad luck. This year I am in a better position and now everything comes down to this last event. My strategy won’t be any different from normal; I always go out with the aim to win and I always give 100%. I’ve finished second or third in the last five year so all I am missing is the title win, a title I hope to be able to bring home to Ducati and to Japan this weekend.”

In 2008 out going World Champion Troy Bayliss dominated both races onboard the Xerox Ducati, proving that the 1200cc v-twin works well at the undulating track.