Ben Spies (Yamaha) won his fourth race of the season today at Essen by literally stealing it from leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) with an outstanding overtaking move just three corners from the chequered flag. But, unfortunately for Spies, things did not go as well in the second race when he fell on the second lap and the race was won by his eternal rival and championship leader Haga.

Having won the Superpole, the American had great starts in both races. In race 1, Spies led and resisted the attacks of the fast-starting Max Neukirchner, Haga and Leon Haslam. A slower starting Haga rapidly chased down Neukirchner, who then lost the front-end of his Suzuki entering the final corner chicane and came crashing down.

Spies, meanwhile, was still leading, but now had his hands full of Haga, who passed him on lap 13 of 22, followed by Haslam, who also took advantage of a bobble by Spies to get by. Haga attempted to sprint away, but Haslam was keeping pace, with Spies seemingly hanging on, at least until the last few laps.

Noriyuki Haga

Spies passed Haslam with three laps to go, and waited until Turn 15 on the last lap to dive by Haga, who ran out of time to respond, and ended up second behind Spies at the flag.

For the second race, Haga was left with a relatively easy run to the finish line when Spies, who had also a great start, lost the front in turn 1 on the second lap. A frustrated Spies was left to watch Haga steadily moved away from the chasing pack to claim an untroubled fourth win of the season.

Those results, together with his four other second place finishes, means Haga has pulled out a mammoth 60 point lead over his key rival after just four rounds (Eight races).


Assen Race No.1 - Results

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1. Ben Spies USA Yamaha WSB YZF R1 36mins 31.338secs 22 laps
2. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1098R +0.164s
3. Leon Haslam GBR Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR +0.779s
4. Tom Sykes GBR Yamaha WSB YZF R1 +8.776s
5. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Racing RSV-4 +11.276s
6. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R +16.126s
7. Jonathan Rea GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +19.555s
8. Regis Laconi FRA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R +19.760s
9. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098R 23.006s
10. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +24.285s
11...................


Assen Race No.2 - Results

Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati 1098R 22 laps
2. Leon Haslam GBR +2.678s
3. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R +4.603s
4. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098R 8.981s
5. Jonathan Rea GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +12.104s
6. Tom Sykes GBR Yamaha WSB YZF R1 +14.575s
7. Carlos Checa ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +17.449s
8. Shane Byrne GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R +17.729s
9. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 +18.167s
10. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +26.066s


WSBK Championship (After 4 rounds of 14)

1. (1) Noriyuki Haga 180 points
2. (2) Ben Spies 120
3. (5) Leon Haslam 94
4. (4) Michel Fabrizio 80
5. (3) Max Neukirchner 75
6. ....................


Photo Credit : Worldsbk