Reverend
September 9th, 2007, 20:49 PM
Nori Haga secured a win and a second place in Sunday's two races to reduce the gap on World Superbike leader James Toseland in Lausitz, Germany.
The Yamaha Motor Italia rider was a comfortable winner in the first race, crossing the line well clear of Max Biaggi and team-mate Troy Corser.
Toseland, who now leads by 41 points, finished ninth due to tyre problems and could only manage fourth in race two.
That was won by reigning champion Troy Bayliss, pipping Haga in a tight race.
The Australian's sixth victory of the year kept him fourth in the championship, reducing his deficit on Toseland from 97 points to 79, with two rounds, four races and a potential 100 points still to race for.
But Haga was the main winner of the day and he said: "I didn't make crazy riding. I made a good start but Bayliss had gone by about three seconds.
"I tried to catch him, it was difficult at the beginning but I pushed more every lap. I believe in my hard front tyre and by mid-laps Bayliss slowed down and I caught him.
"I am happy for the result, my team worked hard and I am comfortable riding - thank you team."
Race one result:
1. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
2. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
4. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
5. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
6. Regis Laconi (Fra) Kawasaki
7. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Kawasaki
8. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ita) Ducati
Race two result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
3. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki
4. James Toseland (GB) Honda
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
6. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati
7. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Kawasaki
Championship Standings:
1. James Toseland (GB) Honda 375 pts
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 334
3. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki 322
4. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 296
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 254
6. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 177
7. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ita) Ducati 173
8. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6984070.stm)
The Yamaha Motor Italia rider was a comfortable winner in the first race, crossing the line well clear of Max Biaggi and team-mate Troy Corser.
Toseland, who now leads by 41 points, finished ninth due to tyre problems and could only manage fourth in race two.
That was won by reigning champion Troy Bayliss, pipping Haga in a tight race.
The Australian's sixth victory of the year kept him fourth in the championship, reducing his deficit on Toseland from 97 points to 79, with two rounds, four races and a potential 100 points still to race for.
But Haga was the main winner of the day and he said: "I didn't make crazy riding. I made a good start but Bayliss had gone by about three seconds.
"I tried to catch him, it was difficult at the beginning but I pushed more every lap. I believe in my hard front tyre and by mid-laps Bayliss slowed down and I caught him.
"I am happy for the result, my team worked hard and I am comfortable riding - thank you team."
Race one result:
1. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
2. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
4. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
5. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
6. Regis Laconi (Fra) Kawasaki
7. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Kawasaki
8. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ita) Ducati
Race two result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
3. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki
4. James Toseland (GB) Honda
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
6. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati
7. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Kawasaki
Championship Standings:
1. James Toseland (GB) Honda 375 pts
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 334
3. Max Biaggi (Ita) Suzuki 322
4. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 296
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 254
6. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 177
7. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ita) Ducati 173
8. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6984070.stm)