Misano posing tough challenge for title leader Haga
Added on Friday, June 19th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Haga has struggled in the past at Misano.
Noriyuki Haga will be looking to turn around a poor result three weeks ago in the USA but he would have probably chosen somewhere other than Misano to rebuilt his lead at the top of the World Superbikes championship.
An early crash in Salt Lake City three weeks ago left Haga to struggle to a ninth and eighth place finish whilst title rival Ben Spies took full advantage to close the gap at the top of the rider’s standings.
The championship returns to Europe this weekend with the San Marino round in Misano, a circuit that Ducati class very much as “home” territory but for Haga, success has been difficult to come by at the circuit.
The Japanese rider has never won at the circuit, a best finish of second coming in 2007 and has only three podiums and five DNF’s to his name at the circuit since 1998. Last season, the best that the then Yamaha rider could manage were 10th and 4th place finishes.
Misano has always been regarded as one of the more difficult circuits although Haga still struggled to explain his poor run of results.
“The Misano track is very small and tricky with high-speed corners that require aggressive braking,” he said. “I prefer the new layout but it remains nonetheless a difficult track for me, I don’t really know why. It’s always so hot there too, so the tyre choice really comes into play.
“Anyway, it will be good to be back in front of the Italian crowds, Misano has been the “home” race for Ducati in the last years so I’m sure it’ll be crowded with Ducatisti!”
The championship, leader also confirmed his determination to rebuilt the gap over Spies and teammate Michel Fabrizio in the championship after struggling at Miller Park.
“After a crash and the less than perfect results at the last round of Salt Lake, I plan to be back on form and fighting to win at Misano.”
