In the last six seasons since he returned from a disappointing period in MotoGP, Noriyuki Haga has notched up a remarkable series of championship results. The 34 year-old from Nagoya has in fact twice finished runner-up and four times third, losing out on two World Superbike titles by three and seven points respectively, in 2007 and this year.

Haga has proved time and time again to be one of the top riders in the WSBK category, winning 41 races (exactly the same as his race number!), but has never yet been able to take the title he most certainly deserves. The final outcome in 2009 can't have been easy to digest, but Haga has already done that and is looking forward to the 2010 season in which he promises once again to be a contender...

What's your view of the past season and what was the reason for you losing out on the title?

"It was my first year with Ducati and it took time to get experience with the new bike. From the start of the season Ben was very strong and it was a hard fight against him all year, every race it became harder! Having said that, I made a better start to the season than usual and then I led the championship for most of the season and this was more than I had done in previous seasons. Overall I had a good season in terms of wins and podiums, but unfortunately I lost the title at Portimao."

Spies won the most races: did he deserve to win the title in the end?

"For his first year in the championship, and not knowing most of the circuits, I can't deny that he is a very strong rider. But it was a close fight and sometimes it happened that our preferred tyre compound was not available; if it had been, maybe the championship result would have been different - this is something we will never know."

Is it true that at a certain point of the season it looked as if you were administering your lead rather than going for the wins?

"This year I have been fortunate because Ducati have always given me a good bike. I have never had any real technical problems which means I could always ride with confidence. I don't think I was riding any differently to how I normally ride. Of course I knew I needed to be consistent and I tried my best to always make the best possible results and take maximum points, but this has always been the goal."

Losing two titles by 3 and 7 points is not something that happens every day. Are you ready to begin again after these disappointments?

"I feel ready for 2010 already! The results of other seasons is something we cannot change, it is already in the past. We will start again and another battle will begin. My only worry is always for the things I can't control; I always give 100% but certain things, like pigeons on the track, cannot be predicted!"

And will you miss someone as important as Tardozzi?

"Of course I will miss him, and the championship will miss him, as he is one of the team managers with the biggest experience in the paddock. Even when I was with Yamaha I could see that he was one of the best, always the first to fight on behalf of the riders if he thinks something is unfair. The riders need figures like him."

Who do you reckon will be your main rivals next season?

"Well for sure Michel, Biaggi and Jonathan Rea, and then I guess Cal Crutchlow too. It should be another interesting season and I am looking forward to it..."

Next year you'll be 35 years of age: will this be your last season in Europe and are you planning to go and race in the USA?

"No, not at all! I am sure 2010 won't be my last SBK season and I haven't even considered going to race in America ! I am not thinking about the next step as I intend to continue in SBK for as long as I can be a strong contender."