In the first of two races, Ben Spies led from start to finish, but almost lost it in the end when he ran wide on a slow corner, but the American managed to edge rival Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) to win by just over a tenth of a second.

Starting from his tenth pole position of the season, Spies got away well to maintain his lead while Haga found himself shuffled down to sixth, before ending the first lap fourth.

Behind Spies, Jonathan Rea (Honda) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia) traded fast without gaining on the race leader. Haga passed Biaggi for second place on lap 17 of 23, but things were not settled yet.

With Spies pushing hard to repel any last lap challenge, it was evident that Haga needed a mistake on the part of the American to win the race, which is what happened ion the last lap, as Spies went very wide in a tight 180 degree corner, allowing Haga to slip by in the inside. Spies kept his cool to cut back up the inside of Haga on the exit of the corner and finally crossed the finish line in front for his 12th win of the season

Things were different in the second race, as Noriyuki Haga was never be challenged by Spies and cruised to his eighth win of the season. The Japanese veteran took the lead on lap one and never looked back. By contrast, Spies coped with a bad front tire and cossed the line in fourth place.

Despite a rather confusing end to the race when Haga and second place continued racing for a lap beyond the chequered flag, victory for the Japanese rider also means that Ducati has sealed the manufacturer's title one round early. Max Biaggi and Jonathan Rea completed the podium, with Leon Haslam (Honda) completing the top 5.

With a win and a fourth, Spies finds himself ten points behind Haga, with the last round of the season coming on October 25 at Portimão, Portugal.

WSBK Magny-Cours Race 1 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike Time
1. Ben Spies Yamaha 23 laps
2. Noriyuki Haga Ducati +0.181s
3. Max Biaggi Aprilia +5.009s
4. Michel Fabrizio Ducati +16.347s
5. Leon Haslam Honda +22.622s
6. Carlos Checa Honda +24.948s
7. Etc.....

WSBK Magny-Cours Race 2 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike Time
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 23 laps
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia +1.480s
3. Jonathan Rea Honda +6.024s
4. Ben Spies Yamaha +18.135s
5. Leon Haslam Honda +21.236s
6. Y.Kagayama Suzuki +23.647s
7. Etc.......

WSBK standings – After 14 of 15 rounds
Pos. Rider Points
1. Noriyuki Haga 436
2. Ben Spies 426
3. Michel Fabrizio 346
4. Max Biaggi 293
5. Jonathan Rea 279




Photo Credit : WSBK