Spies takes AMA title

Suzuki’s Ben Spies won the 2006 AMA Superbike championship on Sunday October 1, 2006, with a seventh place in the race at Mid-Ohio.

The race was won by team-mate Mat Mladin from fellow Suzuki rider Aaron Yates, with Britain’s Neil Hodgson taking a fine third place at the season finale.

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The race itself was in jeopardy due to a dispute between factory riders, track management and AMA Pro racing resulted in the factory riders boycotting the heat races, and starting behind the 10 privateer riders who had competed. When the race started, Spies just needed to finish within the top 13 to take Suzukis fourth consecutive title.

Hodgson’s podium was his third of the 2006 season, with a championship position of fifth.