Haga on pole

Nori Haga's bid to hold on to the lead in the FIM Superbike World Championship received a shot in the arm as the Japanese rider claimed pole position for the German round at the Nurburgring.

The Ducati Xerox rider, who is still recovering from injury, has seen his lead slashed to seven points by Yamaha World Superbike rider Ben Spies.

But Haga claimed pole for the Nurburgring with a best lap time in superpole qualifying of one minute 55.489 seconds.

That time was good enough for Haga to claim pole ahead of British pair Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Leon Haslam (Stiggy Motorsport Honda).

Haga's team-mate Michel Fabrizio was fourth quickest with Spies celebrating his new Yamaha contract with fifth.

Spies has signed to remain with Yamaha in World Superbikes next season before moving to MotoGP with the Japanese manufacturer in 2011.

The sixth best time was set by former champion Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad) ahead of Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) and Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda).

The top 10 on the gird was completed by British riders Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) and Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati).

Haga was delighted to take his first pole position since joining Ducati.

"It's my first pole position with Ducati and it comes just at the right time, as the championship reaches the final stages," he said.

"I've been feeling comfortable on the bike all weekend and this bodes well for tomorrow."

"I like the track a lot and, having gone well here last year, I'm looking forward to racing."