World Superbikes Round 6

Olaf Wolff AllAboutBikes Sr. Staff Writer

On this, the championship's return to South Africa for the first time in seven years, 53,000 eager spectators were treated to an ample serving of heated racing action, and a heaping helping of Ducati domination. Only a week after being taken out by a bird in the second race in Italy, Haga confirmed he’s recovered just fine – thank you. The Ducati Express growled into a one, two, victory in both races, propelling Haga and Fabrizio into the same positions for the Championship point standings. And Spies, well, his confidence in the Yamaha team suffered yet another numbing blow.

Race 1

Ben Spies tied the record for consecutive pole positions with six this week, yet that amounted to little more than an asterisk in the results when the dust had settled. Within the first few laps Haga, Fabrizio and Spies, looked as though they would repeat their performances in last weeks race by pulling away from the pack, and they did, only the racing was very different. It was immediately noticeable that Spies was wrestling far harder on his R1 to keep pace, than the two Ducati jockeys were to set it.

When the checkered flag waved Haga had clinched his fifth win this year with an authoritative performance. Fabrizio and Spies had to settle for the other two podium slots, in that order, after a mid-race duel that was decided when the Texan bobbled slightly and his left foot slipped off the peg. It was obvious to all watching that in this race, as in others, the Ducatis’ handled as though connected to a monorail, while others didn’t. Spies settled into the number three position after that without putting up any further fights. Third place points trumps a DNF anytime. Surly his team would find a suitable solution in time for the second race.

In the post race interview Haga had this to say, "On Friday and Saturday we had quite a big problem but we tried to fix the suspension and couldn't find a solution. This morning we found a little better feeling but it was not perfect. My feeling was that it would be difficult to win, but in the end I am very satisfied with the victory. During the race my arm was not giving any problems, only my leg! On the last lap I saw a small bird, it looked like a pigeon and I was a bit worried because I didn't want to see any birds here!"

Race 2

Cool-hand Haga dropped the clutch first once again, stealing yet another hole-shot, with Spies in hot pursuit this time. It appeared as though the Yamaha team had fiddled the proper suspension tweak as Big-Ben stole the lead away early from Haga. Spies was moving and grooving, building a slight lead over the points-leader, turning in his fastest lap of the day – the same lap that was to be his last as well. A gearbox snafu was the painful end to Spies race and his hopes of closing the points lead on Haga. He could be seen punching his gas-tank in disgust as he rolled off the track.

Last week with the finish line in his grasp the Yamaha runs out of fuel fumes barely a hundred yards from a proper conclusion. This week, with Spies once again in the lead, the gearbox goes kaput. What’s the deal Yamaha? Ben’s clearly doing his job . . .

With Spies out, Haga once again led Fabrizio home to the flag, gifting the Ducati team a perfect weekend, as-well-as the first and second place points lead. In this race the Japanese rider led for 23 of the 24 laps, pulling out a massive points lead that’s going to be tough for Spies to overcome. Fabrizio is now an even more realistic contender for challenging Haga for the title. Anything is possible in World Superbikes though, that’s why it’s so freaking exciting. The Texan is now 88 points behind Haga.

Spies’ misfortune allowed a new face a position on the podium. Jonathan Rea (Honda) scored his first ever WSBK podium, the youngster from Northern Ireland wrapped up his weekend with a very positive third place finish.

After the race Rea summed it like this, "It's gone really well. I have to thank all of my crew for making a big effort after the slow start to the season. They upped the development and now everything's fallen into place. I felt very good today and when the bunch behind caught me I thought I had to get third straight away and have some reserve at the end."