Haga: I Feel Ready for 2010 Already!

Though 2009 has been a tough season for Noriyuki Haga, the rider already looks forward to the 2010 season and promises to be a strong title contender. The Japanese rider finished second twice and four times third, losing out on two World Superbike titles by three and seven points in 2007 and this year, respectively.

However, Nitro Nori doesn’t give up hope. He says that it took him a while to accommodate with the bike, being his first season with Ducati. The 34-year-old rider also said he admits Fabrizio, Biaggi, Jonathan Rea and Cal Crutchlow as his main rivals for next season , and that he is sure 2010 will not be his last SBK season.

"I feel ready for 2010 already! The results of other seasons is something we cannot change, it is already in the past. We will start again and another battle will begin. My only worry is always for the things I can't control; I always give 100% but certain things, like pigeons on the track, cannot be predicted!" Haga was quoted as saying by worldsbk.com.

Speaking over Tardozzi departure, Haga said "Of course I will miss him, and the championship will miss him, as he is one of the team managers with the biggest experience in the paddock. Even when I was with Yamaha I could see that he was one of the best, always the first to fight on behalf of the riders if he thinks something is unfair. The riders need figures like him."