Email a Friend

*Email Addresses (up to 5):

Personal Message:

*Your Name:

*Your Email Address:

Send me a copy of this email

* Indicates a required field

Email addresses will only be used to send this message. They will not be used for promotional purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

Heed 505

RSS

Font:

Haga or Spies - Who Will Be Champion?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Salutations MotoUSA faithful, It’s Adam here. I can’t stop thinking about this weekend’s pending World Superbike showdown between Noriyuki Haga and Ben Spies. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an all-out scrap to the finish line. However, if I was a betting man, (which I am), I’d put my cash on Spies as the guy who will emerge victorious Sunday afternoon. Why am I so confident in Spies? He’s actually ridden this track before during pre-season testing last year. And when he did he was instantly right on race pace. But even more importantly I believe Spies is going to win is because his Ducati-mounted challenger, Haga-san is cursed to never ever win a world championship. Think about it: he’s been roadracing professionally since before I even knew motorcycles existed. And in all those years he’s never once secured a world title. He’s sure been close though, finishing runner-up twice and 3rd four times. Yet having completed full-time for nine World Superbike seasons he’s never been able to seal the deal. Will Haga’s curse continue this weekend? Let your thoughts flow below and comment on who you think is going to be the Champ this weekend.

Haga managed to keep Spies in sight in Race 1 but then Race 2 saw a 20-point loss after his DNF and his rivals second-place finish.

Is Nitro Nori cursed? Sound off below.

Ben Spies elbowed his way into the points lead with a win in Race 1 and a very solid second-place result in Race 2 at Nurburgring.

My money is literally on Spies this weekend. Team USA!

Post Tags: noriyuki haga, ben spies

Blog Archive

2012: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2011: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2010: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2009: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2008: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

Comments

adam-motousa -race is already over October 24, 2009 07:46 PM
spies starts from front pole, haga from 9th position? the race is already over before it even started--ha@!

Pete -Spies/Haga October 24, 2009 06:05 PM
Adam - I dig your pieces. I'm a big Haga fan too, but I gotta go with Ben. I've watched him since '03- Anyone who can beat Mat Mladin three years in a row-well now... Plus- he's an American. I love Haga, he deserves a title- he's one of the greatest of all time, but it's unfortunate he won't be remembered as such if he doesn't bring it home this year. In 2010, Spies will be up to speed with the MotoGP boys from the get go. There will be plenty of American and European naysayers. But they will have to eat their hats. Go Spies!

John -ELBOWS October 24, 2009 05:02 PM
I'm an American and like Haga's style but it's got to be Ben ALL THE WAY!!!! I feel for Nori having been close so many times but Ben has clearly been the fastest rider all year and suffered ton's of bad luck to boot.

rolaids -haga san October 24, 2009 05:13 AM
I have to go haga. I have been a fan of his since he first started racing in the series. It started for me when haga was with yamaha and partnerned with edwards that haga was duking it out with foggy and all at once I saw haga elbow off to take the win. Spies is awesone two but my heart must go with haga but I will route for spies when he goes to gp and I cant wait to see him beat rossi and stoner. I used to be a nicky haden fan as I met him before at the races in loudon, new hamshire and he is a down to earth guy but now it is so hard to watch. Go HAGA SAN !!!!!!!

KT -Race October 23, 2009 08:59 AM
I think Spies can do it but the potential for Fabrizio or somebody else to take him out again always exist....

Wayne Michaels -SPIES WILL WIN October 22, 2009 05:25 PM
all spies!

SteveO -RE: clarkjw October 22, 2009 04:17 PM
KTM... hmmm. Could it be on par with the right rules? Sure. Is it a good base platfrom to start from? Def not the base model, though they have an 'R' I'm riding in a couple weeks so stayed tuned for that. But do they have the money to make that happen right now? No way.

NorCalFilth -Its Hagas to lose October 22, 2009 04:15 PM
One thing that i haven't seen posted is how Rea, Max, and Fabrizio all have nothing to lose and everything to gain from being the ones to spoil the Americans dream season (lets face it the anti american sentiment is alive and well even in Europe). The 3 guys i just listed are going to make Spies job very difficult, but i am for sure rooting for spies. SteveO said it, i too will be happy for either rider, and whoever wins will have truly earned it.

1-2 -1-2 punch October 22, 2009 02:40 PM
Well, of course...ELBOWS all the way

SICKWITHIT -Ben's Word October 22, 2009 12:24 PM
Ben said not to fear he would take the win. I foresee him staying true to his word.......unless maybe there are bike issues? A run away Ducati? Bad front tire?

Dr. John -Doesn't matter October 22, 2009 11:15 AM
The level of racing has been so amazing all year even though I'm a fan of Spies I am just so glad to have a production based class of motorcycle racing that I can stand to watch. After Daytona this year I had to stop following AMA (DMG). World Superbike and Moto GP have been more than enough to get my moto-fix. Even after Ben goes to GP, WSB will still be left with some of the best riders in the world.

clarkjw -Nori will run off track in race 2 October 22, 2009 10:23 AM
Nori is gonna finish 2nd in race after Ben runs a sick pace and wins by 7 seconds. In race 2 Nori will get caught out and run of track early, having to battle up to 3rd.

Steve, you think the KTM could run in SBK (without air restrictors and a ballast)? Let us know after the tests TYVM!

Tim -SPEEZ October 22, 2009 09:49 AM
World Superbike and Supersport is some of the best racing around. Spies will be victorious but it will not be by much as this championship is sure to be decided by a few points. Spies has talent other racers would kill for I really expect him to make an immediate impact in Moto GP next year. GO BEN!!!!

SteveO -C'mon Fellas... Let's Hear It... October 22, 2009 09:39 AM
My vote: Well, honestly, I'm on the fence. I've always been a Nitro Nori fan and love is style, by Ben is our homeboy. So, for me, good ol' U.S of A wins out and I'm pulling for Spies. But at the same time it's a perfect pairing because I'll be stoked for either. Not to mention I'll be riding their bikes the Monday after :)...

Okay, so now you guys. Who do you think?