Bikes: Noyes wins Spanish Extreme Finale

Kenny Noyes took his first Spanish 1000cc Extreme victory at Jerez de la Frontera. The Spanish-born American, riding for Motorrad Suzuki of Madrid, made his move during the final laps passing L'Oreal Laglisse Yamaha riders Javier del Amor and eventual series winner Carmelo Morales.

He led the opening laps but was relegated to second when Morales came by on lap five and then to third when del Amor did the same on lap seven.

"We knew the rear was going to start sliding early. For some reason the Yamaha can get more out of the rear, but we spent most of qualifying setting the bike up to work when the bike got loose. I was having some really long slides - a really scary one at the left-hander before the stadium section - but I was able to stay close. Then I saw what I was hoping for…del Amor and Carmelo were starting to slide with about five to go and they were coming back to me. I got by del Amor on the brakes for the final corner and started pushing hard to catch Morales. When I caught him I almost ran into the back of him a couple of time; my drive with the bike sliding was better than his  so I knew I needed to pass him and show him that it was no use. He's done that to me a couple of times. I can't remember where I passed him but once I was in front I lit it up a couple of times on the fast right-handers at the back of the pits.

"I knew he was fighting for the title with del Amor and Cardoso so I knew he'd think twice before trying to stick a wheel in. I knew I had him covered today. This one has been a long time coming; it is the first real win I've had for a while: I won a Spanish Superstock title a few years back but this one feels like the real thing; like when we won the Manzanita Half Mile in Phoenix! Now I think we are starting to get this road racing thing figured out!"

By winning, Morales extended his final points total to 130, taking his first Spanish National title by 14 points over his team mate del Amor in third, and 23 over former champion Jose Luis Cardoso (Blussens BQR Suzuki) who had traction problems all weekend and finished only ninth in the final.

Morales agreed with Kenny's comments. He said "The way Kenny's Suzuki was sliding and driving out of the corners today, I don't think I could have done much. Fortunately for us we didn't need to win to take the title!"

Del Amor said: "When Kenny came by I thought I'd sit back and look for a way to pass, then he passed Carmelo and starting pulling away."Noyes made wildcard appearances in three other championships this season, winning his only ride in the European Suzuki Cup, finishing second (with Bernat Martinez) in the Spanish round of the World Endurance Championship and even scoring two top-ten finishes in the AMA Superbike Championship riding a Celtic Racing GSX-R 1000 Superstock bike for Barry Gilsenan.

Motorrad Suzuki team owner Manuel Alonso added: "Kenny has made a big step forward, starting from the last race of 2007 when he was fourth here at Jerez. This was a big win for Kenny, for the team and for Suzuki Spain."

Spanish 1000cc Extreme Results:

1. Kenny Noyes - USA (Motorrad Suzuki)  29´30.0452. Carmelo Morales -Spain (L'Oreal Yamaha) 29´30.801 3. Javier del Amor - Spain (L´Oreal Yamaha) 29´32.801 4. Xavier Fores -Spain (D´Antin Kawasaki) 29´37.980 5. David Salom - Spain (L'Oreal Yamaha) 29´39.466 6. Graeme Gowland - Great Britain  (Darcey Honda) 29´40.3917. Ivan Silva - Spain (Yamaha Factory Spain) 29´40.7018. Enrique Rocamora -Spain (Speed Racing)  29´52.2139. José Luis Cardoso -Spain  (Blusens BQR Suzuki) 29´57.12010.Victor Carrasco -Spain (Palmetto Kawasaki) 30´01.956

Final Points Standings:

1. Morales 1302. Del Amor 1163. Cardoso 1074. Noyes 895. Martinez 626. Rocamora 567. Silva 538. Lozano 509. Carrasco 4710. Fores 43


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