WSB Portimao 2009 - title decider

[patnicholls]

So, things are just opening up in the Algarve - who's your money on?

[Corny]

Weird: 2 championships are to be decided this weekend (WRC and WSBK) but on both I don't have a favourite!

I think Haga will take it, he's done well last few races, and ducati has won both of last year's races here

[leopard]

Considering this is the last season before moving to motogp, I’d rather give my support for Ben. But Nori is now leading, so he would have more control over area immediately adjacent to the title.

[Rod Richardson]

So, things are just opening up in the Algarve - who's your money on?

I would not bet on either due to the short odds but Rea is on fire at present and Haslam is looking for a win and a ride in 2010 due to Stiggy's current financial woes (the only Stiggy bike racing this weekend).

Regardless of who wins, I reckon there could be no more fitting result than for Haga to wear the laurels this year as a reward for the great racing he has provided over the years........I just hope they all get a clear run to the flag.

I also believe that a Japanese champ could be just the injection the sport (including Moto GP) needs in the current economical climate.

I'll feel more confident about Nori doing well if he starts from the front row. The races don't start until after midnight here but the Motogp races are on early evening to keep me awake. Race 2 is on about 4am, it's going to be a long night.

Nori :s mokin:

[Mach24]

and Haslam is looking for a win and a ride in 2010 due to Stiggy's current financial woes (the only Stiggy bike racing this weekend).

Leon is signed to Suzuki Alstare for 2010.

I think Spies is gonna win it. He has been fast all year and I reckon he will be determined to goto Moto as WSBK champ.

[Wim_Impreza]

I think Haga will be champion. He was faster than Spies the last races.

I hope Rea will not ride to close to the title contenders.

[Rod Richardson]

Supersport Qualifying

1 50 Laverty E IRL Honda CBR600RR 1'44.836
2 35 Crutchlow C GBR Yamaha YZF R6 1'44.909 +0.073
3 51 Pirro M ITA Yamaha YZF R6 1'45.087+ 0.251 ………bit of a surprise
4 54 Sofuoglu K TUR Honda CBR600RR 1'45.157+0.321
5 26 Lascorz J ESP Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'45.161 +0.325
6 24 McCoy G AUS Triumph Daytona 675 1'45.366 +0.530
7 117 Praia M POR Honda CBR600RR 1'45.436+0.600
8 99 Foret F FRA Yamaha YZF R6 1'45.742 +.906
9 8 Aitchison M AUS Honda CBR600RR 1'45.886 +1.050
10 77 Veneman B NED Honda CBR600RR 1'46.052 +1.216
11 1 Pitt A AUS Honda CBR600RR 1'46.072 +1.236
12 21 Fujiwara K JPN Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'46.216 +1.380
13 55 Roccoli M ITA Honda CBR600RR 1'46.443 +1.607
14 23 Davies C GBR Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.514 +1.678
15 36 Cardenas M COL Honda CBR600RR 1'46.614 +1.778

[leopard]

Ben and Yamaha... ;)

[Rod Richardson]

THE GRID
1 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
2 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R
3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
4 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
5 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR
6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
7 10 F. NIETO ESP DFX Corse Ducati 1098R
8 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
9 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
10 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
11 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
12 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
13 22 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
14 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
15 100 M. TAMADA JPN Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R
16 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
17 14 M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR
18 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R
19 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
20 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
21 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
22 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
23 77 V. IANNUZZO ITA Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR
24 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR
25 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone Yamaha YZF R1
26 88 R. RESCH AUT TKR Suzuki Switzerland Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9

[Rod Richardson]

THE GRID
1 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
2 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R
3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
4 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
5 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR
6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
7 10 F. NIETO ESP DFX Corse Ducati 1098R
8 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
9 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
10 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
11 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
12 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
13 22 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
14 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
15 100 M. TAMADA JPN Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R
16 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
17 14 M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR
18 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R
19 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
20 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
21 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
22 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
23 77 V. IANNUZZO ITA Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR
24 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR
25 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone Yamaha YZF R1
26 88 R. RESCH AUT TKR Suzuki Switzerland Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9


Not a good launch pad for Haga but there are 4 other Ducs including Fabrizio's ahead to run interference for him and help get him up to the pointy end and on the podium in each race.

[CaptainRaiden]

Damn, what a disastrous qualifying by Haga. Well, I hope he goes better in the race, as he always does. One good thing to know is that he was faster than Spies in FP2 I think. Fingers crossed for Haga. Go Nori!!

[CaptainRaiden]

Crap, I hope I didn't jinx Nori. Well, hard luck man, maybe next year you'll finally do it. Two of the most frustrating races I have seen in a long time. Haga lost it at Portugal by crashing, more than Spies winning it.

Anyway, congrats to Spies. He is a freak storm that took over WSBK this year. Best of luck to you for next year. I guess he is gonna be one of the "aliens". MotoGP hopefully is gonna be interesting next year, with Spies, Simoncelli, Aoyama, Barbera and Bautista all there.

[Rod Richardson]

Congrats to Spies, Crutchlow and Yamaha………..Really unfortunate that Haga dropped the bike in Race 1 and didn’t or couldn’t get back on to pick up the 7 points it would ultimately have taken for him to win the crown.

SUPERSPORT

1 1 50 E. LAVERTY IRL Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR
2 4 54 K. SOFUOGLU TUR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR
3 6 24 G. MCCOY AUS ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675
4 2 35 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha World Supersport TeamYamaha YZF R6
5 9 8 M. AITCHISON AUS Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR600RR
6 3 51 M. PIRRO ITA Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha YZF R6
7 14 23 C. DAVIES GBR ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Triumph Daytona 675
8 8 99 F. FORET FRA Yamaha World Supersport TeamYamaha YZF R6
9 10 77 B. VENEMAN NED George White Ten Kate R. Honda CBR600RR
10 7 117 M. PRAIAPOR Parkalgar Honda Honda CBR600RR
11 11 1 A. PITT AUS HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR600RR
12 15 36 M. CARDENASCOL Veidec Racing RES Software Honda CBR600RR
13 12 21 K. FUJIWARA JPN Kawasaki Motocard.com Kawasaki ZX-6R
14 16 25 M. LAVERTY GBR Echo CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR
15 18 101 K. COGHLAN GBR Holiday Gym Racing Yamaha YZF R6
16 20 5 T. PRADITA INA YZF Yamaha Yamaha YZF R6
17 21 9 D. DELL'OMO ITA Kuja Racing Honda CBR600RR

SUPERBIKES RACE 1
1 1 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
2 4 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
3 6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
4 2 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R
5 3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
6 13 22 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
7 12 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
8 19 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
9 17 14 M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR
10 16 15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
11 18 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.TK. awasaki ZX 10R
12 15 100 M. TAMADA JPN Kawasaki World Superbike R.TK. awasaki ZX 10R
13 22 25 D. SALOM ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
14 24 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 IponeYamaha YZF R1
15 20 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R

SUPERBIKES RACE 2
1 3 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
2 10 41 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
3 4 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
4 2 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R
5 1 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1
6 6 3 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
7 13 22 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
8 9 96 J. SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R
9 8 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
10 11 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
11 14 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 22
12 18 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T Kawasaki ZX 10R
13 17 14 M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR
14 20 99 L. SCASSA ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
15 24 94 D. CHECA ESP Yamaha France GMT 94 IponeYamaha YZF R1

[Mach24]

Lets face it, Spies was a cut above the rest.

Whilst the points were tight, it was Spies first season and there was a string of mechanical failures early in the season.

I wonder if Spies will be able to deliver on the large capacity 250 (800) in GP. The two classes (WSBK vs GP) seem to require very different riding styles.

Nori must be gutted, perhaps his last 'real' shot at the championship. Whilst I don't doubt he will be consistently toward the front next year, the quality of his competitors just keeps growing.

Long live WSBK!

[Wim_Impreza]

Spies made more mistakes than Haga did this year. Haga was faster in the last races than Spies.

Lucky that Spies is going to the most boring motorsport on two wheels next year.

WSBK will be again very great next year.

[Mach24]

[quote="Wim_Impreza"]Spies made more mistakes than Haga did this year.QUOTE]

However Haga made a 'mistake' at Donnington that slowed him for several rounds thereafter, and, a 'mistake' in race one here at Portimao.

Spies, did make mistakes, but this only enhances how fast he was (in his rookie year) that he was able to come back from his (and the teams) mistakes.

I don't want to start a whole, who made more mistakes discussion here, just to say that both riders/teams made errors which potentially changed the result through season 2009.

I can not wait for 2010 season opener at the Island. It would be great is DeAngelis or Elias got the second seat on the Factory Aprilia and a second Aprilia team is created with Camier and Shakey aboard. Shame BMW do not have a 'gun' rider again next year.

Congratulations to Ben Spies, he wasn't my preferred choice for champion but his fans knew he would set WSBs alight and he did. Without the injuries from Donington I think that Nori would have had a lot more points going into the final rounds, but that's how it goes. I stopped breathing for a while when he fell in race 1 while the realisation of his probably not winning the championship sank in. Race 2 was a forerunner of how exciting 2010 will be, it's going to be crowded at the front.

[leopard]

Unless Toseland can rejuvenate his performance and Crutchlow has immediate adjustment for the bigger bike, honda and suzuki can revolutionize their performance, the win probability of Haga will be bigger next year. I reckon him will be the strongest winner contender.

[CaptainRaiden]

Unless Toseland can rejuvenate his performance and Crutchlow has immediate adjustment for the bigger bike, honda and suzuki can revolutionize their performance, the win probability of Haga will be bigger next year. I reckon him will be the strongest winner contender.

Yeah, I think so. While Crutchlow is good, he is no Spies, and I don't see anybody else challenging Haga for the championship. It would have been very good though if Haga could have done this year beating Spies. Oh well...

[patnicholls]

A bit of a shame that the title decider was a slight anticlimax after Nori fell in race one rather than a wheel-to-wheeler, but never mind. A very strong season for the series - arguably the best I can remember and I think ultimately the right man's won though I feel for Nori obviously.

Yep, looks crowded at the front next year too - Haga, Fabrizio, Rea, Biaggi will all be there, plus Toseland, Crutchlow and Neukirchner of course amongst others. Oh, and Suzuki surely can't do worse than this year's injury-related disaster. Factor in BMW and maybe, just maybe a step up from those Kawasakis and things will be very interesting once again!

[Mach24]

While Crutchlow is good, he is no Spies

Harsh call on Cal, who's to say he's no Spies?

They both have 1 World Championship under the belt.

Perhaps in a couple of years when Spies returns to WSBK we will see them one on one.

By the way, I am not having a go at Spies here, he is a Champ, but don't under estimate Cal.

[The Phantom]

Yeah, I think so. While Crutchlow is good, he is no Spies, and I don't see anybody else challenging Haga for the championship. It would have been very good though if Haga could have done this year beating Spies. Oh well...

I can think of five or more riders who will be pushing Haga! Rea, Biaggi, Crutchlow, Camier, and Fabrizio will all be strong, and there's another five guys - at least! - who have the potential to run at the front. I'm reserving judgement on Crutchlow for now - good solid result in the tests, but a lot of WSS guys have struggled in WSB.

They all see Haga as the alpha rider, and he is, but between their pace and his inconsistency (improved, but still a chink in the armour), they will most certainly be there.

Fabrizio will definitely be out to upset the applecart. In fact if Fabrizio gets a win or two in the first few races of 2010, my money will go firmly onto him as the favourite.

[Mach24]

I'm reserving judgement on Crutchlow for now - good solid result in the tests, but a lot of WSS guys have struggled in WSB.

An interesting point about Cal is he came from BSB on a HM Honda Superbike to WSS. He was quick on a Superbike, but made a lot of mistakes.

I was really surprised at his consistency this year, consistency will be the biggest thing he needs to maintain in 2010.

[CaptainRaiden]

Harsh call on Cal, who's to say he's no Spies?

They both have 1 World Championship under the belt.

Perhaps in a couple of years when Spies returns to WSBK we will see them one on one.

By the way, I am not having a go at Spies here, he is a Champ, but don't under estimate Cal.

I have respect for Crutchlow's talent, but I doubt very much that he'll come and blow away the competition in the way that Spies did. That's all what I meant to say.

While he is a champion, but it's WSS, and like Phantom said, many previous dominant Supersport champions have struggled to make a dent in WSBK, namely Muggeridge, Pitt and Sofuoglu. So, I'll still reserve my judgement until next year.


I can think of five or more riders who will be pushing Haga! Rea, Biaggi, Crutchlow, Camier, and Fabrizio will all be strong, and there's another five guys - at least! - who have the potential to run at the front.

Fabrizio, Rea and Biaggi will be up there, but there is a big question mark on Crutchlow and Camier. And whatever I said, it's based purely on this year's points standings. The only thing standing between Haga and that title was Spies and Spies alone, not the Yamaha, because we all saw how badly Tom Sykes struggled on the second one.

If not for Spies, I believe Haga would have won the title very comfortably with races to spare. I guess that will happen next year, but you never know.


Fabrizio will definitely be out to upset the applecart. In fact if Fabrizio gets a win or two in the first few races of 2010, my money will go firmly onto him as the favourite.

I guess Fabrizio will need to be a hell of a lot more consistent in 2010, if he really is serious about challenging for the crown. On some circuits he is super fast, and on some he's just nowhere.

[NinjaMaster]

Well, what an intriguing WSB finale. Nori's crash in the first race was so disappointing. I think he's destined to rival Aaron Slight as the greatest WSB riders to never win the title. Ben Spies, well what can you say about the guy? He has totally surprised me with his dominance. I knew he would be good, win a few races as the season went on but to come out from the word go and be as fast as he was is astounding. And he's a good guy to boot! Well done the Ben, a well deserved championship.

I'm interested to get peoples take on Fabrizio's race win. I thought his tactics to pass Haga when Nori made a mistake, and to chase the leaders down was very good and then to pressure Rea into a mistake was perfect but where was the team work to allow Nori through for a chance to take the title? What if Spies had a problem in the lap couple of laps of Biaggi ran him off the circuit? I think Tardozzi may have asked the same questions.
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The WSS race was a fair bit less interesting. Laverty capped off an excellent season with a very strong win. It was a shame to see Lascorz Kwak expire as he had excellent pace and Kenan Sofuoglu rode well to finish the year on a high. You would assume those three would be the favourites for next year. Great to see Mr Squiggle finish the year on the podium for Triumph and hopefully that is a spur for them to develop their sweet little triple even more so they can come back even more competitive next year. And of course congratulations must go to Cal Crutchlow on a fantastic debut season clinching the WSS title as clearly the best rider for the season. On the flipside, Andrew Pitt must be relieved to finally have his disastrous title defence over with. Hopefully there are bigger and better things in store for him in 2010.


On the subject of WSB 2010, I think it's only going to get harder for Haga to finally clinch that elusive title. Jonathon Rea and Michel Fabrizio both improved as the year progressed and I can't see any reason why that improvement won't continue through next year. Then there is Biaggi on that magnificent Aprilia which will be stronger with another preseason of testing. Cal Crutchlow came from British superbikes, strolled into WSS and dominated in Spies-like fashion and steps up to WSB on the title winning bike. And he's already proving fast on it. Max Neukirchner is back with his favoured Honda and has proven race winning speed and could easily be a contender. Chris Vermeulen, whilst not likely to be a contender, I believe could rattle a few cages along the way and have a say in the final title standings. And then the big one that everyone seems to underestimate is the return of 2-time WSB champ James Toseland riding the championship winning R1. He's had a below par 2009 but he hasn't lost his talent overnight. Haga may go in a favourite for the title, but it would only be a lukewarm favouritism at best in my book.

Roll on 2010!