Spies hoping to repay Yamaha efforts with world crown
Added on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Spies hoping to repay Yamaha efforts with world crown
Ben Spies believes that he owes it to his Yamaha team to deliver the World Superbike Championship this weekend as he goes head-to-head with Noriyuki Haga at Portimao.
Spies heads into his final World Superbike round before he makes the switch to MotoGP just ten points behind Haga with two races remaining knowing that two wins will guarantee him the title in his first year in WSB.
There are various other permutations that could see Spies take the title and the American has the advantage of having secured more race wins over the season than his title rival, which would see him win the championship if he and Haga finish tied on points, but the 25-year-old is focus solely on securing a double win in Portugal.
“I can’t wait to get to the circuit and get set up for Sunday’s races,” said the Texan. “We’ve been fighting hard for race wins all year, and as a rookie on a new bike I think we’ve achieved some pretty good results.
“My focus is completely on going for two race wins on Sunday, I would love to be able to deliver the title for the team as they really deserve it and have worked so hard to make it possible. We do go well on the Portimao circuit, so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to challenge Nori for the wins. There will be a few fast guys up there as always so it should be an exciting race day.”
Yamaha WSB manager Massimo Meregalli was also in confident mood, having seen Spies perform well at Portimao in pre-season.
“We have only one choice, to go there and try to win both races,” he added. “Both the tests we’ve had at Portimao with Ben were really good and also I’m confident that he knows how to win both races so I think it is very possible we will have success.
“We can’t do anything about the weather but we know Ben is ready to give it everything he’s got regardless. I’m expecting Tom to push hard and try and get the podium that he hasn’t managed to achieve yet this year and he will also try to help Ben as much as he can.”
