World Superbike Championship
Stage 4 of 17 brings riders to the Netherlands, home of the legendary Assen raceway where more than 200,000 beer drinkers from Northern Europe take the annual trip to see their Gods compete.

There's a war going on between veteran Nori Haga's Ducati 1098R and hot rookie Ben Spies' Yamaha YZF-R1. All the ingredients necessary to win the championship are in the deserving hands of Haga for 2009: top-notch speed and riding skills, dominant machine, deep knowledge of every track, racing experience and winning spirit, mutual respect for other participants and suppliers as well as unconditional fan support. No wonder he's leading by 135 points after just three events.

However, Haga is starting to feel the heat from young phenom Ben Spies, a three-time AMA champion. Sure, the tracks in the US are tighter, but still. Spies has yet to get familiar with the WSC tracks and his Yamaha engine is innovative but has yet to make its mark on the tarmac. Experts were all giving him one full year to learn the new business before threatening the leaders. That's clearly not what happened, because Spies looks like he wants to win now or at least die trying -- no time to waste on learning anything and waiting until next season. He's now second in the overall standings with 95 points... and enough time to close the gap between him and Haga.

This kid fully believes in his abilities and lets absolutely no one or nothing overwhelm him. And it works, as long as he keeps besting frustrated old racers like the Max Biaggis and Carlos Checas, who won't hesitate to kick him to the curb should the opportunity present itself. With fierce battles involving Haga, Spies and others from the new generation, like Max Neukirchner (Suzuki), Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) and Leon Haslam (Honda), fans and the media are in for an epic show.

We could even see one of these young wolves climb on the podium -- obviously not on the top step as it belongs to Haga, who possesses all the weapons to control and win the championship.

Late news: Spies on pole after Friday qualifying at Assen.


Photo Credit : Ducati, Yamaha