Superbike World Championship Phillip Island, Australia February 21, 2010 Test Times (all on Pirelli tires): Superbike Session Two: 1. Carlos Checa (Duc 1198 R), 1:31.959 2. Michael Fabrizio (Duc 1198 F10), 1:32.349 3. Leon Haslam (Suz GSX_R1000), 1:32.484 4. Noriyuki Haga (Duc 1198 F10), 1:32.518 5. Jonathan Rea (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:32.544 6. Shane Byrne (Duc 1198 R), 1:32.671 7. Max Neukirchner (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:32.735 8. Max Biaggi (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:32.832 9. Jakub Smrz (Duc 1198 R), 1:32.912 10. Lorenzo Lanzi (Duc 1198 R), 1:32.979 11. James Toseland (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.135 12. Sylvain Guintoli (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:33.190 13. Tom Sykes (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:33.222 14. Troy Corser (BMW S1000 RR), 1:33.299 15. Cal Crutchlow (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.444 16. Ruben Xaus (BMW S1000 RR), 1:33.498 17. Chris Vermeulen (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:33.648 18. Andrew Pitt (BMW S1000 RR), 1:33.699 19. Josh Brooks (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:33.710 20. Leon Camier (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:33.852 21. Roland Resch (BMW S1000 RR), 1:34.361 22. Vittorio Iannuzzo (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:35.260 23. Matteo Baiocco (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.087 24. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:36.155 Supersport Session One: 1. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hon CBR600RR), 1:34.691 2. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:35.042 3. Joan Lsacorz (KAw ZX-6R), 1:35.385 4. Michele Pirro (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.536 5. Fabien Foret (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:35.608 6. Eugene Laverty (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.641 7. Sebastien Charpentier (Tri Daytona 675), 1:35.735 8. David Salom (Tri Daytona 675), 1:36.344 9. Miguel Praia (Hon CBR600RR), 1:36.445 10. Chaz Davies (Tri Daytona 675), 1:37.014 11. Massimo Roccoli (Hon CBR600RR), 1:37.288 12. Jason DiSalvo (Tri Daytona 675), 1:37.529 13. Gino Rea (Hon CBR600RR), 1:37.792 14. Robbin Harms (Hon CBR600RR), 1:37.957 15. Danilo Dell’Omo (Hon CBR600RR), 1:38.221 16. A. Lundh (Hon CBR600RR), 1:39.283 17. P. Cazzola (Hon CBR600RR), 1:39.303 More, from a press release issued by Infront Motor Sports: Checa sits on top after first day of testing at Phillip Island Phillip Island, Sunday 21 February 2010 Privateer Ducati rider Carlos Checa set the quickest time of the first day of track action at the official tests in Phillip Island, taking his Althea Ducati to a 1’31.959 lap time. His pace was less than one second slower than the track best in this class, 1’31.050, which was set in qualifying for the 2009 race. The official Ducati Xerox machine of Michel Fabrizio was second quickest in the opening sessions, 0.390 seconds behind the flying Checa around the 4.445km circuit in Victoria. Both top riders set their best times in the afternoon session, when track surface temperatures reached, 46°C, but in the slightly cooler morning session Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) was still fast enough for third in the combined times, with Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) fourth. Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) pushed his machine to fifth place, just over half a second behind leader Checa, while another British rider, Shane Byrne (Ducati Althea) was sixth. After suffering many injuries in 2009, Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) proved himself fast and focused on day one, going seventh, heading off Max Biaggi, on the leading Aprilia Alitalia machine. A top day for the private Ducatis in general saw Jakub Smrz ninth on his Pata B&G Racing 1098R, while DFX Ducati rider Lorenzo Lanzi rounded out the top ten. Leading Yamaha rider was James Toseland (Sterilgarda Yamaha) 11th quickest while the top Kawasaki lap was set by Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), 13th fastest of 23 riders. Top local rider proved to be Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) and the local favourite was also the highest ranked BMW competitor, in 14th. Carlos Checa: “A very good start, quite positive. We didn’t expect this performance this early and especially not at this track, which is not easy. But we know that the Ducati can work quite well here and we arrived in Phillip Island after a quite good job in testing at Valencia. The team’s understanding of the bike is good, and also they helped me a lot to understand how to ride this bike in the right way. The feeling on the bike is special and so far it is a good experience to ride it.” Michel Fabrizio: “We went quite well but the pace of Carlos Checa was very, very fast. I have a new engineer and we are working well. We made things better as we changed more and more on the bike but we just ran out of time in the afternoon session. We did not so bad, and I am sure we can improve tomorrow if the conditions remain good.” Times: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1’31.959; 2. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’32.349; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’32.484; 4. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1’32.518; 5. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1’32.544; 6. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1’32.671; 7. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1’32.735; 8. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1’32.832; 9. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1’32.912; 10. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1’32.979; 11. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1’33.135; 12. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’33.190; 13. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’33.222; 14. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1’33.299; 15. Crutchlow C. (GBR)Yamaha YZF R1 1’33.444; 16. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1’33.498 World Supersport Sofuoglu back in the mix at full pace Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Kenan Sofuoglu proved the fastest Supersport World Championship rider on display on the first day of Phillip Island testing, thanks to his morning time of 1’34.691. He was very close to his own track best of 1’34.320 with his opening day time, and has one more day to try and improve his pace even more. Katsuaki Fujiwara’s 1’35.042 was enough for second overall, and also enough to hold off his team-mate Joan Lascorz. Although Lascorz was the fastest rider in the afternoon session, it was run at a slower pace than the morning outings. Michele Pirro was displaced to fourth by Lascorz’s late improvement, but he was still ahead of Fabien Foret, Eugene Laverty and two-times champion Sebastien Charpentier. ‘Seb’ was fastest Triumph BE-1 rider today, as he makes a comeback to the class in 2010. Triumph BE1 rider David Salom improved to eighth, Miguel Praia jumping up to ninth on his Parkalgar Honda. Times: 1 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1’34.691; 2. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’35.042; 3. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’35.385; 4. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’35.536; 5. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’35.608; 6. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1’35.641; 7. Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1’35.735; 8. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1’36.344 More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing: Carlos Checa emerged with an impressive and fastest overall time during the first of the two-day test session of the World Superbike at Phillip Island in Australia. Althea racing team riders Checa and Byrne started their final training for the 2010 World Superbike season at the Phillip Island circuit today, the same venue that serves as the championship kick off on Friday February 26. Althea racing team riders faced a dry track and warm temperatures today on the Australian circuit. In the morning sessions Checa reached fourth place (1,32,952). The Spanish rider was able to finish 44 laps, while Shakey completed 38 laps, ending in sixth position (1,33,147). During the afternoon session, Checa with an excellent performance scored the best lap time of 1,31,959. Byrne was also able to improve his best lap time of 1,32,671 reaching sixth position. Althea racing team riders worked extremely hard today with their teams. First day of testing here in Phillip Island proved to be very positive for both of the riders. They still have a very full schedule to follow during the tests but are very satisfied with the improvements on the set-up of their bikes. First session : 1) Haslam (Suzuki) 2) Haga (Ducati) 3) Fabrizio (Ducati) 4 Checa (Ducati) 5) Lanzi (Ducati) 6) Byrne (Ducati) Second session : 1) Checa (Ducati) – 2) Fabrizio (Ducati) 3) Haslam (Suzuki) 4) Haga (Ducati) 5) Rea (Honda) 6) Byrne (Ducati). Carlos Checa :”It’s really surprising for me to score the best lap time here in Phillip Island in my first day of testing with my new bike and my new team. I also reached first position in Valencia, but doing it here is more significant to me because I’m a bit tired due to jet lag. In Portimao I wasn’t able to take advantage of the soft tire, but today I understood how to use my Ducati with a softer rear tire. I want to thank all of my technical staff because they helped me immensely with their elevated experience and know-how with Ducati bikes. Tomorrow I’ll be testing some new components and I’ll definitely try to improve my race pace” Shane Byrne :”I think today was really a very good day. At the beginning everything was fine while in the middle we struggled just a little bit, but in the end the team finished by doing a very good job. Compliments to Carlos for his very impressive lap time. In the last few minutes we tried a softer tire only on the rear wheel without changing the front tire, and I was not able to improve my best lap time as much as I hoped to do. But overall, I’m really pleased because this morning I was in sixth position, but this afternoon I ended up in fourth position (the second session) and this means I’m close to the top positions. Tomorrow I’ll continue working with my team to improve my bike’s set-up and performance. Genesio Bevilacqua General Manager :”I’m extremely satisfied not only because of Carlos’ best lap time, but also because today we had a very good day of testing here at Phillip Island and we are pleased on how the bikes are progressing. Our riders are both very strong and I’m convinced that we are definitely in a good position to start the championship. Tomorrow’s test session is needed to finalize last important details before next week’s races.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Briton Leon Haslam ended the first day of the Infront Motor Sports Phillip Island World Superbike tests with the third fastest lap just behind Carlos Checa (Ducati) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati). Despite missing his flight due to a snowbound Birmingham airport, and only arriving in the early hours of this morning, Sylvain Guintoli managed to stay awake all day and finished a very creditable 12th. Leon Haslam – 3rd, 1:32.484: “I am really happy because we got through a lot of stuff and also managed to work through some of the tyres that we may use in next weekend’s race. I feel we’ve got a good bike set-up and good ideas which directions to take tomorrow and it has all been very positive so far. “Phillip Island is always hard on tyres because there are so many left-handers, so you really have to choose your tyres carefully. The teamwork today has been very good and we are all getting along great. Tomorrow we’ll set up the two bikes the same and then do a back-to-back test using different tyres.” Sylvain Guintoli – 12th, 1:33.190: “I felt fine in the morning session, but the afternoon one was a bit of a struggle towards the end. My flight was cancelled because the airport was more or less closed and so I only arrived this morning. But, I like this track and I like riding this bike at this track, so I enjoyed myself despite the jet-lag. I felt very comfortable on the bike today and now I just want to race it!” Sunday test results: 1 Checa (ESP-Ducati) 1:31.959, 2 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1:32.349, 3 Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare) 1:32.484, 4 Haga (JPN-Ducati) 1:32.518, 5 Rea (GBR-Honda) 1:32.544, 6 Byrne (GBR-Ducati) 1:32.671, 12 Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare) 1:33.190. More, from a press release issued by Team Sterilgarda Yamaha: British riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow completed their first day of testing on the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today. The day was without incident barring a small crash by Crutchlow in the afternoon session. This was the first outing for the riders on the 2010 bike, both Toseland and Crutchlow focussed with their team on setting up the machine ahead of next week’s season opening race. James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (11th 1’33.1) “A steady day for us today. We’ve been focussing on getting the new chassis set-up right, so not been trying to break any lap records, just solid track time to fine tune the bike. I’m looking forward to getting back out tomorrow and improving on today.” Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (15th 1’33.4) “Not the fastest day I’ve had, it doesn’t feel natural to be that low on the times, but I know we’ll improve on that tomorrow. It’s only our first day on the new bike so we’re really working hard to get the set up right so we can hit the ground running.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “Today was our first running in session for the new bike. The riders have been working to dial in the chassis for the Phillip Island circuit, and we will continue to do so tomorrow. We received valuable feedback from both James and Cal through both sessions and will use that to fine tune for tomorrow. Cal had a small crash this afternoon, but luckily received no injuries so can carry on as normal. More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: HAGA AND FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) SET STRONG PACE ON DAY ONE OF TESTING AT PHILLIP ISLAND Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 21st February: in very warm conditions (air temperature 26°, track 34°), the Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio made the most of the track time during this, the first of two days of testing before the championship opens here next weekend. In the first of the day’s sessions both riders were immediately comfortable, setting some very fast lap times right from the start. The team worked with Noriyuki and Michel to find a strong race pace and understand which tyres will work best in the Australian heat. Having completed more than 40 laps each in the morning, Noriyuki and Michel closed that particular session with the second and third fastest laps respectively, followed by the three private Ducatis of Checa, Lanzi and Byrne. The Superbike riders returned to the track at 3.30, the asphalt having reached 41°. Despite the heat, both riders continued to make fast laps and towards the end of the session Michel was able to improve on his best time set this morning to close day one with the second fastest time overall. Nori spend the second part of the session testing Pirelli’s different solutions, and finished today in fourth place, just two tenths of a second behind his team-mate. Noriyuki Haga “It’s been a positive day. We tried various things, making changes to the rear suspension setting and testing the different tyres on offer. The problem is being able to identify a direction during these test days that will also work next Sunday, it’s difficult to predict how the conditions will be in a week’s time. Anyway we’ve worked hard today and made some good progress.” Michel Fabrizio “It hasn’t gone badly today. We’ve worked mainly on tyres, trying to find a good race pace. We’re not quite there yet but we’ve made a good start and know what there is to do tomorrow. It’s very hot but after our recent cold and wet tests in Portimao and Valencia we can’t complain!” TIMES DAY 1 Checa (Ducati) 1m31.9s; Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.3s; Haslam (Suzuki) 1m32.4s; Haga (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.5s; Rea Lanzi (Ducati) 1m32.5s; Byrne (Ducati) 1m32.6s; Neukirchner (Honda) 1m32.7s; Biaggi (Aprilia) 1m32.8s”¦.. More, from a press release issued by Aprilia: SBK: FIRST DAY OF TESTS AT PHILLIP ISLAND A beautiful southern late summer day is the setting for the first day of In Front Tests on the Phillip Island track where Friday the 26th the first round of the 2010 SBK season will be held. The excellent weather conditions and the track allowed the riders and the teams to do their best work from the very start. At the end of the day Carlos Checa on Althea team’s Ducati held the best time at 1’31″959. Eighth for Biaggi with 1’32″832 at 0″832 behind the Spanish rider. Max concentrated his work on finding the best balance for his RSV4, also trying the new cam drive gear engine propulsion. Twentieth place for Leon Camier with 1’33″852 at 1″893 off Checa’s best time. The young English rider is making his debut here at Phillip Island, so he had to memorise the difficult Australian track whilst at the same time trying to find the best base setting to work on in anticipation of the race. Compared to the races at the end of last year’s season, the situation is a little bit different stated Biaggi this is a peculiar circuit where you have to be in good shape to stay up front. We are still suffering in the deceleration phase where we need to mitigate vibrations and skipping coming into the turns which hurts safety, and we need to do it with the materials which are available to us here. Tomorrow we will work on this, trying to resolve it as best as possible”. It was a very intense day – Camier said – it was the first time for me here and I had to learn the track, which is not complicated to memorise, but it is really difficult to ride fast on straight away. I’m consistent enough, although the pace still needs to improve quite a bit, but I’m lacking in the single lap which is very important for the qualifiers since a good position on the grid will help me run a good race. Considering that this is the first day, I’m at a good starting point. I’m sure that there is still a lot of work to do but I’m very confident”. More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TROY HAPPY AT THE END OF DAY ONE. Troy finished the first day of the Phillip Island tests content with his and the team’s progress and is looking forward another day’s good weather and improving further tomorrow. Conditions were a little on the hot side, but a cool breeze from the sea, kept things bearable in the afternoon session. Carlos Checa (Ducati) topped the standings at the end of the day, with a lap of 1:31.959. Second was Michel Fabrizio (Ducati), with Leon Haslam (Suzuki) third. Troy – 14th, 1.33.299 For sure, I’m pretty happy with what we achieved today and of course I’m also happy to be back at Phillip Island. It’s a fantastic circuit, though I do think it may be a bit more bumpy this year compared to last. The grip level was good in the morning when it was cooler, but we did manage to find some good grip in the afternoon and that together with the higher track temperature affected the bike more and gave us a few things to think about. The bike has improved in some places and not so much in others since we were last here, so we know we still have some work to do. We did some work on the traction control and the gearing and will continue the work tomorrow. The wind got a bit buffety in the afternoon, but it was consistent and the good news is that I didn’t hit any seabirds this time, though I did see a lot near the track. Hopefully we will have a good day tomorrow and get the bike in good shape for the race next weekend.