World Superbike makes its way to France this weekend for its second to last stop of the season. With only 3 points separating Ben Spies from Noriyuki Haga’s lead in the Championship, Magny-Cours proves itself to be an important stop in a battle for the lead that seems unable to die. Both Haga and Spies will be looking to take a double here in France, and try to establish some breathing room over the other, before they head to Portimao.
Ben Spies has clogged our front-page as of late, and for good reason. The American has not only been making waves on the track, but has been the center of much speculation in both the WSBK and MotoGP paddocks. With his recent announcement to move into MotoGP, via the Monster Tech3 Yamaha Team, Spies seems to have only one thing left on his agenda: winning the 2009 World Superbike Championship.
Before Spies can begin his training for MotoGP, there’s just the simple matter of defeating Noriyuki Haga, who is looking for his first World Superbike crown as well. Haga, twice a WSBK Championship runner-up, is perhaps the only man in the paddock who wants victory more than Ben Spies. Spies isn’t going to make it easy for him though, and today has taken his 10th Superpole victory.
With his 10th Superpole in hand, Spies ties the record for pole positions in WSBK. Setting a course record in the process, Spies is now tied with Doug Polen, who reached 10 pole positions back in 1991.
Stay tuned for the races tomorrow, although Nitro Nori will be starting from the second row, you can almost count on another battle in France.
Superpole Results from World Superbike at Magny-Cours, France:
| Pos | No. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff |
| 1 | 19 | B. Spies | Yamaha YZF R1 | 1’37.709 | – |
| 2 | 65 | J. Rea | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’38.191 | 0.482 |
| 3 | 84 | M. Fabrizio | Ducati 1098R | 1’38.196 | 0.487 |
| 4 | 3 | M. Biaggi | Aprilia RSV4 Factory | 1’38.235 | 0.526 |
| 5 | 41 | N. Haga | Ducati 1098R | 1’38.365 | 0.656 |
| 6 | 91 | L. Haslam | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’38.625 | 0.916 |
| 7 | 10 | F. Nieto | Ducati 1098R | 1’38.670 | 0.961 |
| 8 | 11 | T. Corser | BMW S1000 RR | 1’39.114 | 1.405 |
| Out after Superpole 2 | |||||
| 9 | 67 | S. Byrne | Ducati 1098R | 1’38.831 | 0.715 |
| 10 | 96 | J. Smrz | Ducati 1098R | 1’38.844 | 0.728 |
| 11 | 31 | K. Muggeridge | Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 | 1’38.851 | 0.735 |
| 12 | 7 | C. Checa | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’38.924 | 0.808 |
| 13 | 71 | Y. Kagayama | Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 | 1’39.148 | 1.032 |
| 14 | 66 | T. Sykes | Yamaha YZF R1 | 1’39.361 | 1.245 |
| 15 | 111 | R. Xaus | BMW S1000 RR | 1’39.444 | 1.328 |
| 16 | 22 | L. Camier | Aprilia RSV4 Factory | 1’39.703 | 1.587 |
| Out after Superpole 1 | |||||
| 17 | 9 | R. Kiyonari | Honda CBR1000RR | 1’39.816 | 1.046 |
| 18 | 15 | M. Baiocco | Ducati 1098R | 1’39.868 | 1.098 |
| 19 | 23 | B. Parkes | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’39.905 | 1.135 |
| 20 | 25 | D. Salom | Kawasaki ZX 10R | 1’40.534 | 1.764 |
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