Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) has reclaimed the World Superbike Championship lead after a win and a second place finish, just behind team mate Michel Fabrizio.

Haga put on a great run to win race 1 today, taking the lead on lap 18 of 21, and easing to a comfortable win over Max Biaggi (Aprilia), Fabizio and Ben Spies (Yamaha).

At the start, Biaggi headed up pole sitter Michel Fabrizio, Jonathan Rea (Honda) and Haga, while Spies was getting squeezed after banging fairings with Troy Corser (BMW) before recovering for fifth.

The lead pack of three left Spies adrift, the American seemingly unable to maintain pace, almost three seconds behind after just five laps.

At the front, Biaggi, Fabrizio and Hage were all over each other, with Haga finally pulling out a small lead over the last three laps as the two Italians exchanged positions right up to the last corner.

In the second race, Michel Fabrizio caught and overtook race leader Haga on lap 13, despite team orders, to romp home to a comfortable second career victory on home soil, taking five points away from his title contending team-mate.

Despite missing out on the double, Haga is back in front in the championship, three points ahead of Spies in the overall standings after the American could only finish fifth.

WSBK Imola Race 1 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike Gap
1. Noriyuki Haga Ducati 21 laps
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia +2.074s
3. Michel Fabrizio Ducati +2.190s
4. Ben Spies Yamaha +5.438s
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari Honda +14.470s
6. Leon Haslam Honda +14.685s
7. ETC....

WSBK Imola Race 2 – Results
Pos. Rider Bike Gap
1. Michel Fabrizio Ducati 21 laps
2. Noriyuki Haga Ducati +3.592s
3. Marco Simoncelli Aprilia +6.510s
4. Max Biaggi Aprilia +7.445s
5. Ben Spies Yamaha +14.678s
6. Jonathan Rea Honda +16.396s
7. ETC.........

WSBK Standings – After 12 of 17 rounds
Pos. Rider Points
1. Noriyuki Haga 391
2. Ben Spies 388
3. Michel Fabrizio 330
4. Jonathan Rea 260
5. Max Biaggi 257




Photo Credit : Ducati