For the first time in his WSBK career, Ben Spies (Yamaha) will start this weekend’s round in Imola as championship leader, with an 18 point advantage over Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) going to Imola.

Spies has won 12 of the 22 races so far this season, but the Yamaha rider has only ever tested at Imola, where he set the fourth fastest overall time at July's Imola test, which Haga missed due to injury. On the other hand, Ducati heads the list with six wins from the last eleven races there, so that bike set-up and race strategy should not be a problem.

For his part, Spies will be out to emulate the 2002 Imola performance of fellow Texan Colin Edwards (Honda) - who claimed the world title after a thrilling showdown with Troy Bayliss and his Ducati at the Italian circuit.





Photo Credit : WSBK