VOL. 53 ISSUE 11 MARCH 22, 2016 P23
front challenging Webb for the
lead. The two stole the lead from
each other multiple times in the
final laps of the race, putting on
a dazzling show for the fans. In
the end, Haaker took the win a
split-second ahead of Webb to
take the win in Spain, and the
world championship.
"I just went into overdrive in
that final race," Haaker said. "I
had nothing left to give. I can't
believe it. It's been an amazing
season of racing, both Jonny
and Cody raced so hard all
year—respect to those guys.
Thanks to the team and Husqvar-
na for their faith in me.
"Honestly, this season was
just insane. It was my rookie
year racing the series, so I knew
I had a lot to learn. I started the
championship with a fourth-
overall in Poland and then kept
building on that. Since then I
never missed a podium.
"The final here was jut another
crazy night of racing and it all
came down to the last corners
of the last lap. I made a last-
lap pass on Cody and that was
for the championship. It was a
super exciting moment and I'm
pretty sure the fans loved it too!"
Webb had to settle for sec-
ond, and also took the conso-
lation prize of the Akrapovic
SuperPole award. "It's been an
incredible season," said Webb.
"For it to come down to the final
corner of the final lap shows just
how tight the racing has been.
Obviously, I'm a little gutted not
to be world champion, but I can
hold my head high because I
gave it everything I had tonight
and nothing less.
"Looking back, those mis-
takes I made in Argentina and
Prague were costly, but I won
three overall rounds so I can be
proud of that."
Walker ended the champion-
ship third in points despite a
7-7-6 tally in Madrid. Factory
KTM's American rider Taylor
Robert ended the season fourth
followed by fellow KTM rider
Alfredo Gomez.
In the Junior category, Man-
uel Lettenbichler continued his
dominance and nabbed the Ju-
nior World Championship crown
with a nearly flawless season,
his only defeat having come at
round three in Argentina. CN
Cody Webb fought hard all night,
battling Haaker down to the last
turn of the final lap, but had to
settle for second.
