Haga makes dream debut on factory Ducati

Japan's Noriyuki Haga has defeated Germany's Max Neukirchner in a gripping season-opening world superbike race at Phillip Island this afternoon.

The pair were locked together in a game of nerve for the majority of race one, before Neukirchner nearly crashed from his Suzuki at Turn Nine on the last lap, allowing Haga back into the lead.

From there, the Ducati-mounted Haga held all the aces, and he flashed over the finish line just 0.030secs ahead of Neukirchner, with Japan's Yukio Kagayama making it two factory Suzukis into the top three.

After a qualifying debacle, Australia's Troy Corser was an encouraging eighth in his debut on the all-new BMW, and also set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:32.726.

Corser's compatriot Brendan Roberts (Ducati) made an encouraging WSBK in 17th, while Broc Parkes (Kawasaki) and Karl Muggeridge (Suzuki) were forced to retire with handling and engine woes respectively.

Out front, Haga, who turns 34 tomorrow, made the perfect debut in factory Ducati colours, and proved that he will be more than an adequate replacement for retired Australian Troy Bayliss.

It was Haga's 34th WSBK win, taking him past Corser on the all-time winners' list.

Haga's teammate Michel Fabrizio was fourth after slowly picking his way through the field, with Jonathan Rea (Honda), Leon Haslam (Honda) and Regis Laconi (Ducati) completing the top seven.

Polesitter Ben Spies (Yamaha) ran off the track on lap one, but fought back to just finish out of the points in 16th.

RACE ONE RESULTS

1        41 Haga Nori. (JPN) Ducati 1098R             Finish time 34'22.631 (170.677km/h)
2        76 Neukirchner Max. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9                   + 0.032
3        71 Kagayama Yukio. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9                    + 5.347
4        84 Fabrizio Michel. (ITA) Ducati 1098R                                    + 6.587
5        65 Rea Jonathan. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR                            +  8.491
6        91 Haslam Leon. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR                             + 8.523
7        55 Laconi Regis. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09                               + 8.766
8        11 Corser Troy. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR                                  + 11.589
9        96 Smrz Jakub. (CZE) Ducati 1098R                                       + 11.721
10      66 Sykes Tom. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1                                  + 11.761

For full results, click here.

Race two will be at 3.30pm this afternoon.