Haga philosophical about title hopes

Noriyuki Haga maintains there is a long way to go before he even starts thinking about claiming his first ever WSB crown.

The Xerox Ducati rider now sits 85 points ahead of his team-mate Michel Fabrizio in the title standings after claiming an emphatic double win at Kyalami at the weekend.

Haga who has never won the WSB title despite a decade of trying knows that while there is any sort of mathematical possibility he can not relax and with eight rounds and 400 points still available the title race is far from over.

Speaking to MCN, he said:

“I’m 88 points ahead of Spies, which is good but we haven’t passed the middle point of the season and the year is still long. I will still try hard to score good points at every race.

“I can not push 100% every time If I can do I will do, but if I can’t I won’t. If I can not find a good setting I will not push.”

At Kyalami on Sunday, Haga put aside his arm injury sustained at Monza, where he was struck by a bird, to secure his second double win of the season.

Since signing for the Xerox Ducati squad the Japanese rider has turned over a new leaf in terms of consistency.

In the past his riding was sublime one minute and mediocre the next where as he now looks calm, relaxed and most importantly in complete control.

Speaking about the last lap battle with his team-mate Michel Fabrizio in South Africa, Haga said:

“I understood he was right behind. When he passed me at the top of the hill I could see that he was going too fast and that he wouldn’t be able to stop.

“There was also a backmarker who was out wide and kicking up some sand so I was wondering what line to take but I think I chose the right one.

“Then at the last corner he passed me under hard braking. I knew I was ok on the brakes into there so I knew straight away that he would go wide.”

Despite their team-mate status there are clearly no team orders between Haga and Fabrizio, which team boss Davide Tardozzi confirmed to MCN.

Having ridden alongside the likes of Troy Corser, Andrew Pitt, Colin Edwards and Garry McCoy during his career the level of competition on the other side of the garage is nothing new.

Haga said:

“For sure he is my team-mate but for on track he is just another rider. I don’t care who he is it is no different. Off track we are friendly but on track it’s like racing with Spies or Biaggi.”