Texan Ben Spies claims world superbike title

October 25, 1:52 PMMotorsports ExaminerDerrick Shannon

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Motorsports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Portimao, Portugal is a long way from Longview, Texas but the old adage of where you start is not necessarily where you end up is definitely true. Longview's favorite son Ben Spies capped a phenomenal rookie season in World Superbike by claiming his 14th win of the season en route to the series title at the 12-turn 2.8-mile Portimao circuit.

Spies claimed his series leading eleventh pole award of the season to start both 22-lap races staged earlier today, a statistic that Spies has owned this season as only three other riders earned pole awards. Spies entered the final event in a fierce title fight with Japan's Noriyuka Haga but the Texan blistered the field in race one to claim the win and his 17th podium finish of the season.

Race two started with the championship in sight, so Spies did not take any chances and cruised to the finish line to secure the championship by a mere six points with a fifth place effort.

While Spies is considered a rookie in World Superbike, the former multi-time AMA Superbike champion in the United States rode like the seasoned veteran he is. A veteran that is only 25 years old.

Spies' accomplishments this season in World Superbike have him clearly cemented in the record books and joins fellow American's Colin Edwards, Doug Polen, John Kocinski, and Scott Russell as World Superbike champions.

At season's end, Spies tallied 11 poles, 14 wins, and 17 podium finishes in 28 races. He also set a record for eight straight pole awards to start the season. No ordinary rookie indeed.

The races from Portimao can be seen today on SPEED Channel at 3pm ET. Photo Credit: FIM Hannspree World Superbike Championship 2009.