Eurosport - Mon, 18 May 11:01:00 2009
Noriyuki Haga claimed victory in both World Superbikes races at Kyalami to extend his Championship lead.
The Japanese veteran fended off Ducati team-mate Michel Fabrizio and Yamaha polesitter Ben Spies to the line in race one.
Haga got the jump at the start but Fabrizio led mid-race before he returned to the front and made the most of the ensuing battle between the Italian and Spies by building the cushion he needed to secure victory.
Spies and Fabrizio scrapped over second until the American made a mistake and allowed the Ducati back through, while Jonathan Rea kept his nerve to deny a determined Max Biaggi on the run to the flag to round out the top five.
And in race two Haga fended off Fabrizio on the final lap to ensure that he leaves South Africa as he arrived - the only Kyalami winner in the current field.
Haga got the holeshot for the second time but had to give way to polesitter Spies in the early stages.
Whether the American could have denied the points leader his double - and joined countrymen Colin Edwards and Ben Bostrom as a winner in South Africa - was never allowed to unfold for the Yamaha coughed and died on lap three, allowing Haga back ahead and into a comfortable lead.
Rea held off Biaggi for much of the race - as he had in race one - and then survived a late assault from fellow Briton Leon Haslam to claim the final podium spot.
World Superbikes Kyalami: LIVE on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
haga is going well, but me gran would win on that bike.
Dont Hold Your Breath If You Want To Read How Well The Brits Did This Weekend,Thats about Normal Dont You Think.
why doesn't the highlight video mention Rea's podium and Haslams good finish etc in race 2? presumably they're are gonna bring another one out that mentions this
It's great to see Rea and Haslam and Cal in the WSS competing so well. I t would be great to get one of these young lads competing properly in Motogp at a point in the future coz I don't think JT has not got enough outright speed - great racer just not quick enough to compete with the top boys.
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