Honda Motorsports
Rea lead the pack in Race 1 for a few laps and finished top honda rider.
Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) first took a sixth, and then a third place finish, in the 22-lap World Superbike Races at Phillip Island to leave the opening round third in the overall championship standings. Haslam had qualified sixth on the grid and rode with patience until the last laps of race two to secure his podium, the best single performance by a Honda Superbike rider today.
Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) finished race one as top Honda rider, taking fifth place after a strong early performance from his front row grid slot of third. He led for three laps, from the first to the third. In race two he could not get away with the leading group and finished ninth.
Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR), Roby Rolfo (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) and Tommy Hill (Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR1000RR) finished their opening race of the year in 12th, 13th and 14th places respectively, with Checa doing well to overcome the shoulder injury he suffered last week in testing. He had qualified impressively, in seventh place. In race two Checa was 13th, experiencing serious traction issues from the start. Hill was 14th again and Rolfo finished just out of the points,16th.
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) was taken out of the first race at Honda corner, on lap one, and was unable to restart, His luck got little better in race two, as he could only finish in 23rd place after losing rear grip early on.
Race one was taken by Ducati rider Noriyuki Haga, with race two won by WSB rookie Ben Spies on his Yamaha, some 4.213 seconds up on Haslam.
Rea had been fastest of all in regulation qualifying, before Superpole started. The new Superpole contest had been a highlight of the weekend before the races started, with Rea, Haslam and Checa playing a strong hand to make it through the final three stages of qualifying.
Kiyonari secured 10th place in Superpole,
In the championship standings, Haslam is a strong third, with Haga on 45 points, Max Neukirchner second on 30, Haslam on 26 and Spies on 25. Rea is eighth, on 18 points, and Checa 12th. Hill and Rolfo have four and three points respectively.
The next race, for Superbike and Supersport classes, is in Qatar, on Saturday 14 March.
WSB Rider Quotes:
Leon Haslam made a solid start to his season finishing third in Race 2.
“I managed to get the holeshot in race one and led for three laps, but I was very conscious about preserving the rear tyre so tried to ride as gently as I could. In race two, the pace was just that much quicker and I probably wasn’t aggressive enough in the early part. After I dropped back, I was just eating the rear trying to keep with the others and a couple of mistakes meant I had to ride even harder.”
Carlos Checa - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: 12th – 13th.
“It’s been a very frustrating day and the problem that I thought would give me the most difficulty, my shoulder, was not a problem after all. I had a bad start in race one and struggled to get back to the leaders without using my tyre. In race two, the start was better but there was no side grip from the start and I just couldn’t do anything about it.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari Ten Kate Honda: dnf crash – 23rd.
“There’s not very much I can say. I race one, I got T-boned by Ruben Xaus at the Honda turn and that was the end of my race. In the second, I just had no grip from the start, went into the gravel early on and could not do anything. I’m very disappointed because the simulations we did in practice were very promising for the races.”
Leon Haslam - Stiggy Racing Honda: 6th – 3rd.
“The first race was really good, the bike was working well and got into a good rhythm. I was up in 4th place on the first lap of the race and had some really good battles throughout. On the last lap, whilst in 6th place, I got past Jonathan but was unable to keep him behind me. I finished sixth which was a good start of the day for us. It’s our first time out there racing and to be able to bring home a podium finish is just fantastic! The team and myself have made good progress throughout, and even though I know we still have more to come, the bike and the team is obviously just great.”
Roby Rolfo - Stiggy Racing Honda: 13th – 16th.
“I made a bad start and got touched by a rider in the Honda hairpin, lost my rhythm and some positions. For the remainder of the race I tried to catch up what I had lost and the bike felt good. In race two I got a much better start, but again on the first lap in the same corner I got hit by another rider and was forced to run onto the gravel. I re-joined, but in last position. I lost over 10 seconds and all I could do was to get in a good pace and push my way up thorough the pack.”
Tommy Hill - Hannspree Honda Althea Honda: 14th – 14th.
“We had a really good start to race one, even though I could not do a practice start in the damp conditions this morning. I hadn’t done even one practice start before, so I was happy to have got away as well as I did. This is my first real race back for a year and half. I got straight into the row in front and changed my line in the first few corners. So I went from 20th to 9th! Halfway through, grip dropped off, mainly in the rear, so I had to adapt my style.”
Kawasaki Racing
Tamada and Parkes both missed the mark for points at Phillip Island.
Makoto Tamada improved on his qualifying position in each Phillip Island race but missed out on the chance to score points in two hectic WSB contests.
On his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Tamada finished race one in 18th place, and was 17th in race two, battling chatter for the most part. His team-mate Broc Parkes pulled in during race one when he experienced some technical issues, and in race two he was a second behind Tamada, in 18th place.
Makoto was the top Kawasaki finisher in each race, while Parkes was top Kawasaki qualifier from practice, going 16th in Superpole. Tamada had a particularly good ride in race two, from a first lap position of 24th, moving up seven places through the 22-laps.
Race one was declared wet, even though the track conditions called for full slick tyres, while conditions were completely dry for race two, meaning the new flag-to-flag rules in WSB racing were not given their first outing today after all.
The next round is in Qatar, with raceday to be held on Saturday March 14.
Makoto Tamada: “I experienced some pretty bad chattering issues in race one and I found it really hard to push the bike to improve my position. I was surprised that I was able to keep the pace and even though I am not happy with the result, I was happy to finish the race in order to give the team valuable race data. We made some minor set-up changes in race two and although I still had a lot of chatter, it wasn’t as bad as race one - and it was nice to be able to do some overtaking. Like most riders today I struggled a lot with grip but I’m happy to give the team some feedback so we can continue to improve.”
Broc Parkes: “In the first race we had a small problem, with the clutch, I think. I felt pretty good on the bike before that. I didn’t get a very good start in race two, faded a fair bit and just lost a lot of grip. I still had issues with chatter but I was determined to finish the race so we can try and get some progress on set-up, and provide data ready for the next race in Qatar.”
Yamaha Racing
Spies got off to a good start in Race 1 and found him self in the top spot in Race 2.
World Superbike rookie Ben Spies proved to be an unstoppable combination with the new 2009 YZF-R1, having qualified on pole position yesterday, he powered to a flawless victory in the second race of the opening round at Phillip Island today. Running at the front from the outset and fighting for top position with Ducati rider Noriyuki Haga, Spies rode a perfect race, the new R1 performed impressively as he kept the pace up to the very end for a well deserved victory. Spies goes to Qatar sitting fourth in the championship standings (only a single point from third), after the Phillip Island race weekend, he is also the first American to win a World Superbike race since fellow American Colin Edwards in 2002.
It was a dramatic start to the first race when a late entry into turn two by rider Leon Haslam, forced Max Biaggi to sit up, in turn pushing Spies wide and off the track. Having dropped back several positions he then had to again avoid a coming together between Ruben Xaus and another rider, and in doing so went off track again. The American pole position starter found himself in 26th position with a lot of work to do. Spies put his head down and put in consistently fast laps, finishing the race one position off the points in 16th, and lapping at the end of the race at a similar pace to the race leaders Haga and Neukirchner.
Spies team mate Tom Sykes was forced back to 14th in the opening scrum for the first corners of race one but recovered well, making his way up to tenth position. He held the place for the majority of the race and was closing on ninth at the chequered flag. Race two and British rookie Sykes displayed the same consistency that won him the points in race one, dropping initially to 19th before getting his head down and working up steadily to take tenth position and more points for the Yamaha team in his first World Superbike race of 2009.
Ben Spies, Yamaha World Superbike Team
"The first race was pretty rubbish for me, but I knew I could come back in race two and fight it out. Unfortunately the incident with Biaggi and Haslam left me no option and forced me off, a double blow to be forced off again shortly after with the Xaus incident! I almost made it into the points and had the pace to do it. Congratulations to Nori for that one. The second race was really tough, I had a couple of attempts to break the lead, and watched Nori as much as possible to see where the opportunities were, we were both keeping the pace really high. I tried to stay as close as possible to him and waited for his grip levels to come down. With four laps to go I felt it was the right moment so I put my head down and charged and just kept going! The Pirelli tires were really good and as it was the first weekend for the new R1 it was really great. We got it done in the end, it was a really clean race and Nori was excellent to race against. There are a few more of these to go so looking forward to the next one in Qatar."
Tom Sykes, Yamaha World Superbike Team
"It's not easy in the first couple of turns with the whole pack! I got off line going in to turn one in the first race and got pushed wide, there were people everywhere! Then going into the Honda hairpin, I was just going underneath Xaus and someone came up the inside and took him out and that pushed me back. The incident lost me three or four seconds, I couldn't believe it, I guess that's the nature of Phillip Island! The most positive thing for me was that we made changes with the bike this morning and found a really good setting so I know now I can run race pace and keep at the sharp end, the bike is awesome, especially down the start finish straight. Because the bike was working so well I felt really fresh and able to keep pushing on, I was sure I could get to eighth but I ran out of time. The second race was much of the same, a frustrating start for me, dropping back to 19th place initially, but I got my head down and stuck to my pace and worked back up, taking nine places to finish tenth. I was forced to overuse the tires for the first few laps which meant my race distance suffered a bit. On a positive note I know I'm capable of running consistent times for the front of the pack."
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team manager
"Everybody was a little disappointed for Ben's bad luck in the first race, but in the end it worked out well and the second race was great! It was an unbelievable race and a really great result, Ben's riding was really impressive. Tom did not get a good start for both races but he had good pace and kept it consistently. I think if he can pick up the start then he can do very well too. We're looking forward to Qatar with a really good feeling. Both riders will have to learn the new circuit at Qatar, so we are at a bit of a disadvantage and we'll be starting from zero. I'm not too worried about this as they've both proved this weekend they can go out on a new circuit and keep with the pack."
BMW Motorsports
Troy Takes A Superb 8th In Race One And Sets The Fastest Lap!
Corser plowed though the pack in Race 1 and set the fastest time, finishing in the top 10.
Despite starting from 17th place on the grid, BMW Motorrad Motorsport rider Troy Corser stormed through the field to take a tremendous eighth place in the opening race of this year’s Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. In so doing, he also set the fastest lap of the race - with a time of 1:32.726 - and showed the huge crowd that BMW Motorrad Motorsport are not in the championship just to make up the numbers.
In race two, tyre problems forced him out of the reckoning and he should’ve retired. He had numerous lurid slides, but somehow managed to bring his S 1000 RR home, even though he nearly crashed on several occasions. His team mate Ruben Xaus finished 19th in race one, but improved considerably in the second race to finish just outside the top ten. All in all, a great start to BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s Superbike World Championship debut and a portent of things to come.
Race one was won by Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), with Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) second and Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) third. In race two, Haga was in contention for a double, but was beaten by America Ben Spies (Yamaha), with Briton Leon Haslam in third place.
Troy - Race 1: 8th, Race 2: 22nd
A mixed day, but an absolutely great result to start our 2009 campaign. I am happy to get eighth after starting from the fifth row of the grid - my worst ever WSBK position - and I am happy to have set the fastest lap of the race. I rode race one as hard as I have ever ridden before and really had to work for my 8th after my poor grid position. But I had made a good start and I just tried to catch the leaders. The result (and fastest lap) proves that the bike has potential and I can’t wait for it to develop further.
Race two was a disaster from the start, but it wasn’t my fault. After just one lap the tyres were sliding around and it was like trying to race on a wet tyre in the dry! I don't know why there was a problem at all, because the bike was the same, the settings were the same and the only thing that was different were the tyres. It was frustrating and dangerous, and I should’ve pulled in, but I wanted to keep going, finish the race and give as much information to the team as possible. I had two really big ‘moments’ when I was well out of the saddle, but somehow I stayed onboard. How I’m not sure, but it certainly gave the crowd a fright on the last lap! This is the first time that we have done so many laps in one go and now the technicians will have race information to analyse for the first time and from this I am confident that the progress will continue and continue.
Ruben - Race 1: 19th, Race 2: 11th
Xaus progressed well in Race 2 finishing just outisde the top 10.
For me the results today were not important, but what was important was that Troy and I have given the team a lot of information and data to analyse. Today was the first time either of us have done a race distance and we have learnt a lot more about the bike today. We made the rear sprocket longer for race two and I was much more happy with the bike. I had told the team yesterday that I wanted three teeth longer, but they told me that two was enough. Now I think they owe me a beer because I believe I was right!
It’s hard to think that we have made so much progress that we’re battling with the top guys already and when you consider our grid positions, I think we’ve done really well. I'm not happy with 11th, but I’m happy with our performance in the race and know that it could’ve been even better - if it were not for the grid positions. This is just our first step, but already we can see that our future looks promising.
Berti Hauser (Director -BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
I am happy that we have started at last and I am proud of all the hard work the riders and team have put in these past
months. The results today were very different, but we know the reasons for the poor ones and we are confident that we can improve a lot. Troy’s result in race one was overwhelming. He showed what he can do by going from 17th to 8th and setting the race’s fastest lap and it just leaves us to wonder what kind of result might have been possible if he had started from higher up the grid.
Ruben improved throughout the weekend. He knew what he wanted changed from race one to race two and in the second race he showed that he can be a top ten rider for sure. Both riders are working well together and that, together with the team’s strength of commitment, means that our goal of the top ten is achievable.
Suzuki Racing
Team Suzuki Alstare Brux is off to a great start taking two podium spots in Race 1.
The opening race of this year’s Superbike World Championship was a tremendous one for Team Suzuki Alstare Brux. Max took a superb second place after a long battle with Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), with Yukio not far behind in third.
Both Suzuki Alstare Brux riders experienced grip problems in race two with Max ending sixth and Yukio eighth. Despite the problems in the race two, Max left Phillip Island circuit, second in the championship, behind Haga, with Yukio fifth. It was a great start for the Suzuki Alstare Brux team and one that bodes well for the next race and the season ahead.
Max - Race 1: 2nd, Race 2: 6th
I was very happy with the first race and thought I could win it, after a big fight with Nori. But I made a little mistake on the last lap and that was enough for Nori to take the chequered flag and push me to second. But for me, second is a great start to the season and it is a good way way to say thank you to my team for all the hard work over the winter. I had some problems with chatter in race two and also got caught up in a lot of traffic and found it not easy to get through it. I lost three seconds on the front group and that was too much to make up. The grip level seemed quite a bit down in race two and it was not possible to go any faster. If I had gone any quicker, I may have crashed and I didn’t want that as Yukio and I have not had a single crash all weekend!
Grip issues plagued the Suzuki riders in Race 2.
I am so happy to be on the podium again because the last time was a very long time ago - Brno in 2007. I am a racer and I like to win, so the first race was a good feeling for me. The bike was almost the same in race two, but the grip level was much different and I had some chattering and many slides. Also, I had a problem with my left boot and it was not so easy to use the shifter. If I didn’t have that problem, I’m sure I could’ve caught and passed at least two riders in front of me. But, it’s a good feeling to be on the podium again and also good because I didn’t crash this weekend.
Ducati Xerox Team
Haga taking a top three spot during both races ensured him a solid points lead.
Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 1st March: in a Race 1 that was declared wet but remained dry, Noriyuga Haga (Ducati Xerox) took his first victory on board his new Ducati 1198 today at Phillip Island. Having started from thirteenth on the grid, Noriyuki made a blistering start in Race 1 and was immediately up among the front runners in second place by the end of the opening lap. He remained at the head of the pack for the rest of the race, battling for the lead against Suzuki’s Max Neukirchner who eventually awarded the win to Noriyuki when he made a tiny mistake in the very final lap. The second race came close to being a repeat of the first for Noriyuki as another flying start moved him quickly up to fifth and then first by lap six. This time he had Yamaha’s Spies to deal with and it was a close-run thing, with Noriyuki eventually forced to relinquish the win due to tyre-wear in the final stages.
Italian Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio also took home solid points from the first race of the 2009 season, battling against Brits Rea and Haslam and Australia’s Corser, but just missing out on a podium spot and finishing in fourth.
Race 2 saw Michel run a similar race, holding fourth place for most of the race before a tussle with Haslam and Laconi finally left him in fifth position at the race’s conclusion.
After the opening round of the championship it is Noriyuki that tops the rider’s classification sheets with 45 points, followed by Neukirchner and Haslam. Ducati is the leading constructor chased by Yamaha and Suzuki.
Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 winner; Race 2 - 2nd )
“My qualifying was not so good but in Race 1 my start was strong, and I started to fight with Max up at the front almost immediately. There was the possibility of rain so I started attacking right from the first lap. On the last lap Max got past me again but I kept trying and then on the last corner he made a mistake and I was able to pass him. In Race 2 I was again fighting, this time with Ben (Spies) but he was very fast and by the last five laps my rear tyre was finished, so I had to settle for second. I really enjoyed the race and I am very happy; my team has done a great job this weekend and I am feeling very comfortable on my 1198. A fantastic day, thanks to Ducati and thanks to the fans and I’m very happy that my move to Ducati brings my first win in the first race of the 2009 season.”
Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 - 4th; Race 2 – 5th)
“All in all, it hasn’t gone so badly. Race 1 was the better of the two for me and the bike and tyres were performing fairly well, I just couldn’t match the pace of Nori and the Suzukis in front of me. In Race 2 I began to suffer rear tyre-wear in the closing laps and couldn’t hold my position ahead of Biaggi and Haslam. We saw today just how tough a championship this will be! Anyway I’ve taken some good points and now we move on to Qatar where I will aim to be on the podium.”
