[kropotkin thinks...] - 2009 Kyalami World Superbike And World Supersport Race Report

[Ninjette Newsbot]

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The return of the World Superbike series to Kyalami was eagerly awaited by racing fans all around the world, but most especially the fans in South Africa. The track, which had been scheduled to be demolished and have housing built in its place, features vast elevation changes and sweeping bends, and has been much improved since the removal of the chicane at Turn 12. So interest was high in how the racing would turn out on this tight and in places twisty circuit. Would the tightness of the track make passing difficult, or would the bikes all get bunched up, and a close and typically tight Superbike race ensue?

Noriyuki Haga was fastest away from the line in race 1, Max Biaggi following, before getting duffed up by Ben Spies at Turn to take 2nd. Haga's Xerox Ducati team mate soon joined the fun, wresting 2nd from Spies before the lap was over. The three men who dominated last week's race at Monza soon had a gap back to Johnny Rea, Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi, and set about doing at Kyalami what they had done at Monza.

Haga's lead was not long-lived, Michel Fabrizio taking over first place on the second lap, while Ben Spies hung behind the Xerox Ducatis, assessing his options. Fabrizio tried to forge off on his own, but the Italian could not shake off his team mate, while the blue Yamaha of Spies tailed the pair, the gap slowly starting to grow between Haga and Spies. Haga patiently awaited his chance for the next 10 laps, seizing the opportunity when it presented itself on lap 12, taking back the lead.

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