Press Release:
Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s Jonathan Rea took an impressive double podium in today’s final two World Superbike championship races at Portimao in Portugal. The races were won by Ben Spies, who wrapped up the riders’ championship, and Michel Fabrizio.
Rea finished second in race one after moving up from fourth place in the opening laps and passing Max Biaggi, his rival for fourth place in the series, on lap 16 of 22. It was Rea’s first second place finish of the season.
In a dramatic race two, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland battled for the lead initially with Shane Byrne and then Michel Fabrizio, but missed a gear into Portimao’s hairpin on the final lap, gifting victory to the Italian and ending up in third place behind Noriyuki Haga.
Rea’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Carlos Checa, had a frustrating day and finished the first outing in seventh place, while a technical problem forced the Spaniard out of contention of lap eight of race two.
Jonathan Rea – 2nd and 3rd:
"I enjoyed the first race, although I was on my own for a lot of the time until I caught Biaggi and he ended up running wide. That was good for my championship position and it’s what I was going for in the second race. I ended up in a bit of a fight with Michel [Fabrizio] but ended up making a mistake on the last lap and allowing him past. All in all, it’s been my best Superbike weekend with a double podium and I’m really happy because the bike’s in good shape to go into next year. I’d like to congratulate Ben on his fabulous job this year and thank my team for working so hard to make this season fantastic for me, too."
Carlos Checa – 7th and DNF:
"Not a great way to end a nice association with the Ten Kate team. Race one was very frustrating because we suffered from the same problems we had during qualifying yesterday. In race two, we improved the bike a little, going a little bit softer in the rear and changing the tyre. It definitely made things better because while everyone else’s pace was slower than in the first race, I was able to improve my lap times. I was just passing Kagayama when I had a problem with the engine and the race was finished. It’s been a great experience, and it’s been great to see the team working better and better all season."
Ronald ten Kate – team manager:
"I think we can easily say that we got the big final race that everyone wanted. Congratulations to Ben Spies on the title, he’s done a good a job this season for sure. We finished as the top Honda team this season, so we’ll all enjoy a quiet drink tonight and start preparing for 2010 first thing tomorrow morning. Carlos had a frustrating day and we’re sorry for him, especially in race two. Jonathan had a good day, though, and was riding a top second race, apart from a little mistake which cost him victory. But he definitely deserves an ‘A’ for effort!"
WSB Results:
Race one:
1 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 38’15.390s
2 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +1.697s
3 Max Biaggi (ITA) Aprilia +2.113
4 Shane Byrne (GBR) Ducati +2.757
5 Michel Fabrizio (ITA) Ducati +14.753
7 Carlos Checa (ESP) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +25.634
Race two:
1 Michel Fabrizio (ITA) Ducati 38’19.654s
2 Noriyuki Haga (JPN) Ducati +1.195s
3 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +1.494
4 Shane Byrne (GBR) Ducati +5.553
5 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha +5.842
6 Max Biaggi (ITA) Aprilia +7.374
Final championship points: Spies 462, Haga 456, Fabrizio 382, Biaggi 319, Rea 315, Haslam 241, Checa 209.
