Noriyuki Haga

Noriyuki Haga lost the World Superbike title by just six points to the American Ben Spies. And if his teammate, Michel Fabrizio, would have given up his position in Race 2 to Haga, Haga would have lost the championship by only one point. Haga's talent has never been questioned and he has worked so brilliantly to improve his image and work ethic after the doping charge lost him the title a few years back. A true modern day Shakespearean tragedy. Nori Haga entered the final race weekend with the points lead over Ben Spies despite Ben's all-time Superpole record and fast pace all season ... Read Full Story

Portimao (Portugal), Saturday 24th October 2008: championship points leader Noriyuki Haga and his Ducati Xerox squad experienced a difficult day, and a difficult Superpole, at the Portimao circuit today, closing in tenth position, while Michel Fabrizio and his Ducati 1198 had more success, qualifying on the front row, alongside Spies (Yamaha), Byrne (Ducati) and Rea (Honda), for tomorrow's crucial races. In second qualifying this morning both Noriyuki and Michel continued to work to improve the rear setting of their Ducati 1198 machines, with both able to improve on yesterday's qualifying times despite an apparent lack of rear grip. Michel recorded the second fastest time ... Read Full Story

The title challengers for the 2009 Superbike World Championship got together for a last-minute meet and greet with national and international media today at the Portimao circuit in Portugal in the run-up to this weekend's deciding rounds. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) and Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) were given a short welcome to the spectacular Portuguese track by home rider Miguel Praia, whose Parkalgar Honda team is sponsored by the circuit. Noriyuki Haga Speaks... "Magny-Cours is one of my favourite circuits and I made a great result there, but for me here last year was a disaster. But I tested here with Ducati at ... Read Full Story

Click the images below for bigger versions: The return of Imola to the Superbike World Championship has been greeted with glorious sunshine and a massive influx of the general public today as the gates were opened for Free Thursday. Thousands of spectators poured into the circuit SBK Open Paddock for the traditional autograph signing session and the pre-event press conference with the top riders in the WSB championship, and they were also able to get a glimpse of the various teams and mechanics making their final preparations for this weekend's twelfth round of the series. Seven manufacturer teams (Aprilia Racing, BMW Motorrad, Ducati Xerox, ... Read Full Story

Portimao (Portugal), Sunday 25 October 2009: a bittersweet finale for Noriyuki Haga and the Ducati Xerox Team today when they lost the World Superbike riders title by just six points, after the Japanese rider crashed out of Race 1, to then finish on the podium, second, in Race 2. Already winners in the constructors championship, the Ducati factory team fought until the final lap of this last race but unfortunately they couldn't do enough and it was Yamaha's Spies who lifted the trophy. Michel Fabrizio, fifth in the first race, made a great recovery from eleventh position at the start of Race 2, to ... Read Full Story