Haga hurt in US event but will continue on

Haga hurt in USA's Saturday qualifying incident

Noriyuki Haga took a heavy fall during today's qualifying for the Salt Lake City round of the FIM World Superbike Championship, breaking his right collarbone.

Noriyuki Haga.

Photo by Dave Dyer.

Haga, riding for Yamaha Motor Italia, has taken victories at Valencia and Monza this year, and was again expected to challenge for a top finish, but the Japanese veteran's weekend may now be over.

Haga was working on getting up to a fast lap speed in the Black Rock Hairpin when he lost the front end after near contact with Kenan Sofuoglu, the young Ten Kate rider taking an aggressive line and forcing Haga to the edge of the pavement. Haga was unable to avoid the spill, and sailed over his bike onto the track surface.

After an examination, the World Superbike medical staff declared Haga unfit to race this weekend as he sustained a broken right collarbone. However, Haga hopes to have the decision overturned, allowing him to race on Sunday. A decision will be announced around 3:00pm (MDT).

Haga, 33, has been riding World Superbikes since 1996, and has 214 races and 28 victories to his credit. He has been with Yamaha since 1999, and partnering Troy Corser since the Australian's arrival at the team in 2007.

Update at 3:00pm (MDT)

Even with the broken collarbone and bruising that Haga sustained in the fall earlier today, Haga has elected to give it a go for the Superpole round at 4:00pm (MDT). At the moment practice is taking place and Haga has been out on track, getting use to riding with the injury.

A decision will be made later on whether or not he will compete in Sunday's first race.