SBK Round 2: Qatar

[DooberRoni]

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/SBKqatar-1.jpg FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Losail Circuit - Doha, Qatar
March 12-14

US Broadcast:

http://www.dooberville.com/images/forum/SpeedLogoSmall.gif

Saturday March 14
Race #1 4:00pm EST - 1:00pm PST
Race #2: 5:00pm EST - 2:00pm PST
Do you freakin' believe it? SPEED actually doing it right?

With a few weeks to go before the MotoGP season opener under the lights in Qatar, the World Superbike show rolls into town for round two of the 2009 championship. Can Spies show us the magic again or was it beginner's luck at Philip Island? Our guess here in the 'Ville that unless Ben crashes out or has a mechanical, he'll be in the hunt once again.

Even more amazing is SPUUDtv is showing BOTH RACES ON SATURDAY! Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. I thinks pigs are flying out my ass, or something? :rofl:

If we take a look at the top 5 in last year's event, we see Mad Max was on the box in both races.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/SBK2008-1.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/DooberRoni/SBK2008-2.jpg
Previous results, courtesy of wikiepedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Losail_Superbike_World_Championship_round)

Come join us here on the forum on Saturday for some live posting during SPEED's broadcast. Don't make poor ÜberDinger watch all alone, poor girl. :smilielol5:

So, since we've got Ben in the series to catch our interests and a bigass grid to watch try and make it through the first few turns, SBK should be quite the show. On that note, let's speculate and vote in the poll! We missed doing a poll on the first race being away and too overwhelmed updating the website and forums, but this year we are tracking who who "wins" each poll for a special award at the end of the season.

All together now, GO BEN! Let's hear your predictions, Doobs.

NOTE: There's a new formatting code in this post. If it looks screwed up, shout at us, please. I'm also going to make it a sticky until after the race weekend.

[HEMLOCK]

Looks ok from my side

[ÜberDoober]

Well, it seems our own Mr. Spies has no problem learning new tracks and getting up to speed. This is very cool, Maynard.

FIM Superbike World Championship
Losail International Circuit
Doha, Qatar
March 12, 2009
Provisional Qualifying Results:

1. Ben SPIES (Yam YZF-R1), 1:58.886
2. Jonathan REA (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:59.177
3. Carlos CHECA (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:59.731
4. Max BIAGGI (Apr RSV4), 1:59.826
5. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:59.937
6. Shane BYRNE (Duc 1098R), 1:59.980
7. Jakub SMRZ (Duc 1098R), 2:00.024
8. Michel FABRIZIO (Duc 1098 F09), 2:00.101
9. Regis LACONI (Duc 1098R), 2:00.232
10. Shinya NAKANO (Apr RSV4), 2:00.238
11. Noriyuki HAGA (Duc 1098 F09), 2:00.254
12. Tom SYKES (Yam YZF-R1), 2:00.283
13. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:00.345
14. Roberto ROLFO (Hon CBR1000RR), 2:00.374
15. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:00.398
16. Troy CORSER (BMW S1000 RR), 2:00.455
17. Ruben XAUS (BMW S1000 RR), 2:00.610
18. Broc PARKES (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:00.769
19. Leon HASLAM (Hon CBR1000RR), 2:00.799
20. Makoto TAMADA (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:01.222
21. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:01.224
22. Tommy HILL (Hon CBR1000RR), 2:01.336
23. David SALOM (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:01.464
24. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Hon CBR1000RR), 2:01.560
25. Luca SCASSA (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:01.607
26. Brendan ROBERTS (Duc 1098R), 2:01.779
27. Ayrton BADOVINI (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:02.272
28. Matteo BAIOCCO (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:02.917

Ben is the only guy in the 1:58's and it is really exciting to see him do so well. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if he had gotten a seat in MotoGP if he would have been a contender right from the git go like he has in SBK?

[ÜberDoober]

SPIES ROCKS QATAR!

Fastest yet again in second qualifying AND SPIES WINS SUPERPOLE!

Superbike - Superpole
Update: March 13, 2009, 14:14 PM ET

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'57.280
2 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'57.384
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'57.694
4 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'57.850
5 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'57.878
6 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'58.755
7 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.090
8 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 2'00.021
9 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'58.734
10 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'58.919
11 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'59.044
12 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.055
13 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'59.074
14 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'59.134
15 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'59.435
16 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'59.454
17 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.713
18 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.882
19 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'59.926
20 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.108
21 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 2'00.738
22 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2'00.839
23 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2'01.047
24 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 2'01.165
25 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 2'01.560
26 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2'01.561
27 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2'01.607
28 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2'02.663

What a way to turn a casual SBK fan into a fanatic!

Of the new machines this year, the Aprilia and the BMW, the Aprilia seems to be right on the mark whereas the Beemers are mired mid pack with almost identical times in this session. Interesting. Can't wait for the show on SPEED tomorrow. :thumbup1:

[ÜberDoober]

Anybody that cares probably already knows the results but we'll hold off posting them until after today's broadcast on SPEED. Let's just say "whoa"! :ack2: We'll be hanging out on the board during the show so come chat it up.

[ÜberDoober]

It's race 1 showtime on SPEED!

-- Dang I love these big packs of bikes :)
-- Spies doesn't get a great start. 4th after the first lap
-- I have a crappy picture on Speed right now.
-- Mad Max is looking pretty good
-- Spies up to third - Yamaha looks quick
-- Haga and Biaggi duel it out - Spies catches up
-- top 3 breaking away - Neukirchner crashes out
-- 8 laps to go - top three are tight
-- Ben showing great patience and racecraft
-- Haga to the lead followed by Spies - Biaggi to 3rd w/ 6 to go
-- Spies up the inside on Haga to the lead!
-- A "ding-dong" battle between Haga & Biaggi - Spies pulls a gap
-- "Spies phasers set on stun"
-- It's over - Spies on his own planet
-- not much coverage of any but the top three, but what a race!

FIM Superbike World Championship
Losail International Circuit
Doha, Qatar
March 14, 2009
Race One Results:

1. Ben SPIES (Yam YZF-R1), 18 laps
2. Noriyuki HAGA (Duc 1098 F09), -1.893 seconds
3. Max BIAGGI (Apr RSV4), -2.168
4. Shinya NAKANO (Apr RSV4), -12.061
5. Carlos CHECA (Hon CBR1000RR), -12.597
6. Shane BYRNE (Duc 1098R), -12.971
7. Tom SYKES (Yam YZF-R1), -13.570
8. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Hon CBR1000RR), -19.306
9. Troy CORSER (BMW S1000 RR), -19.388
10. Regis LACONI (Duc 1098R), -20.981
11. Leon HASLAM (Hon CBR1000RR), -21.164
12. Jonathan REA (Hon CBR1000RR), -21.994
13. Ruben XAUS (BMW S1000 RR), -22.917
14. Broc PARKES (Kaw ZX-10R), -27.218
15. Tommy HILL (Hon CBR1000RR), -31.602
16. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Suz GSX-R1000), -33.934
17. Luca SCASSA (Kaw ZX-10R), -47.496
18. David SALOM (Kaw ZX-10R), -47.505
19. Matteo BAIOCCO (Kaw ZX-10R), -59.278
20. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Hon CBR1000RR), -59.295
21. Brendan ROBERTS (Duc 1098R), -59.338, crash
22. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000), -64.008, crash
23. Ayrton BADOVINI (Kaw ZX-10R), -8 laps, DNF, mechanical
24. Michel FABRIZIO (Duc 1098 F09), -11 laps, DNF, crash
25. Jakub SMRZ (Duc 1098R), -12 laps, DNF, crash
26. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suz GSX-R1000), -13 laps, DNF, crash
27. Roberto ROLFO (Hon CBR1000RR), -15 laps, DNF, retired

Time to pee then time for race two! Woo Hoo!

[ÜberDoober]

Time for Race 2 :ack2:

-- Spies 3rd off the line - clean start for everyone
-- Biaggi, Haga & Spies out front again
-- Corser on the BMW knocking at Ben's back door
-- Haga starting to gap. Rest of the field still tight
-- Spies through on Biaggi - New lap record by Haga
-- Top 3 breaking away
-- Great battle going on for 4th
-- Spies takes a look on Haga - commercial, dammit
-- Ben to the front and starts to break away immediately - 13 to go
-- It's the "Ben Bonanza"
-- 1:59:0 new lap record by Spies - .8 second lead
-- Spies is gone! Haga & Biaggi still dicing
-- 8 laps to go - Spies lead over 2 seconds (that's an ass kickin'!)
-- 3.5 second lead for Ben - three to go
-- Last lap - Biaggi and Haga dueling to the death
-- BEN WINS!

Wow! I must say I am impressed. I have never been much of a Spies fan, but I think that has changed? GO BEN!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/SpiesInterview.jpg
crappy screen grab courtesy of: speedtv (http://www.speedtv.com)

FIM Superbike World Championship
Losail International Circuit
Doha, Qatar
March 14, 2009
Race Two Results:

1. Ben SPIES (Yam YZF-R1), 18 laps
2. Noriyuki HAGA (Duc 1098 F09), -1.274 seconds
3. Max BIAGGI (Apr RSV4), -1.622
4. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Hon CBR1000RR), -1.845
5. Tom SYKES (Yam YZF-R1), -5.117
6. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suz GSX-R1000), -9.512
7. Shinya NAKANO (Apr RSV4), -9.514
8. Jonathan REA (Hon CBR1000RR), -12.621
9. Troy CORSER (BMW S1000 RR), -13.842
10. Ruben XAUS (BMW S1000 RR), -13.884
11. Leon HASLAM (Hon CBR1000RR), -13.888
12. Shane BYRNE (Duc 1098R), -14.913
13. Carlos CHECA (Hon CBR1000RR), -15.762
14. Regis LACONI (Duc 1098R), -15.920
15. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000), -19.565
16. Broc PARKES (Kaw ZX-10R), -21.759
17. Jakub SMRZ (Duc 1098R), -28.523
18. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Suz GSX-R1000), -40.499
19. Brendan ROBERTS (Duc 1098R), -43.761
20. Luca SCASSA (Kaw ZX-10R), -44.669
21. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Hon CBR1000RR), -48.955
22. Matteo BAIOCCO (Kaw ZX-10R), -3 laps, pitted
23. Roberto ROLFO (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap, DNF, retired
24. Michel FABRIZIO (Duc 1098 F09), -5 laps, DNF, retired
25. David SALOM (Kaw ZX-10R), -10 laps, DNF, retired
26. Tommy HILL (Hon CBR1000RR), -12 laps, DNF, mechanical
27. Ayrton BADOVINI (Kaw ZX-10R), -17 laps, DNF, retired

[LittleAlguy]

I watched the SPEED broadcast of both races. I totally forgot how excited Jonathan Green gets. :rofl:

I haven't followed Spies much during his AMA days but I can definitely see why there's so much talk about him. I hope he keeps up this good form. :thumbup1:

[KingKenny]

Something else isn't it. I expected him to do well and win some races this year but 2-3 seconds lead is really unbelieveable. Ass kicking is accurate. He is at least as good as Bayliss and he may be the best in the world. We'll see how it goes this year.

No motogp slots that are viable for now.

[ÜberDoober]

No motogp slots that are viable for now.

Hey KK! Nice to see ya!

Maybe not for now but how about next year? I'm guessing either Toseland or Edwards might need to be worried? Heck, if things don't go right for Lorenzo this season, maybe he will be Valle's teammate? :winky:

It's too early to tell if Spies is the next great boy wonder or if the new big bang Yammies are just ahead of the curve at the start of the season. At any rate, bet Ben is glad he didn't go with Suzuki.

[KingKenny]

Ain't that the truth. I think your right about positioning for the MotoGP Yamaha ride. He has to be glad he is not on a Suzi in WSBK or MOTOGP.

Little known secrete... Houseworth is an expert at Yamaha's and hand built a 750 sbk for Hacking to ride which competed in a one off against Haga WSBK Yamaha at Laguna and put the woop ass on em. I had NO DOUBT that House's Yamaha and Ben's skills were going to produce immediate winning results.

They may be the best "Mgr/Rider" combo in all of racing rivaling even Rossi...

I am soooo happy for Ben [having raced him in the 125 class]. He's come along way baby. I predict WSBK Title to Spies/House this year no problem. He may win a record # of races in WSBK.