Spies claims World Superbike title

Ben Spies won his first FIM Superbike World Championship in a thrilling final round of the season in Portugal.

The Yamaha World Superbike team rider, who moves to MotoGP next season, won the first race at Portimao and claimed fifth in race two to claim the title by six points from Nori Haga on the Ducati Xerox machine.

Haga had gone into the final round of the series leading the championship standings but had qualified poorly and then crashed out of race one, effectively ending his title hopes.

Haga hit back to finish second in race two behind team-mate Michel Fabrizio but Spies, who finished the race in fifth, had done enough to secure his first world title.

Race one was dominated by Spies who claimed his 14th win of the season as Haga saw his title hopes all but ended when he crashed out on lap seven trying to make up time from fifth position.

Aprilia's Max Biaggi had put early pressure on Spies before fading and eventually being overtaken by Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea.

Fourth went to Shane Byrne on the Sterilgarda Ducati with Fabrizio in fifth.

The race two victory went to Fabrizio as he led home team-mate Haga and Rea again made it onto the podium by finishing third.

Byrne completed his best day of the season as he took his second fourth place finish.

Spies came home in fifth and that was enough for the American to secure the world title ahead of his Japanese rival.