Spies clinches WSB title after epic rookie season

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.”