American Ben Spies still has a shot at the WSBK title with the season-ending race this weekend in Portugal. image by dean adams

Ten points is all that separates Ducati's Nori Haga and Yamaha's Ben Spies as the WSBK series prepares for the final race of the 2009 season this weekend at Portugal.

Whichever rider wins it'll be rich in cosmic irony. Haga, the perennial championship hopeful who has never won the championship now leads the standings. Spies, riding for the team and manufacturer that Haga made his bones with in WSBK--Yamaha--has clawed back for a shot at the title, even though he'd never seen most of the tracks on the schedule. It's a classic veteran vs rookie show-down as well.