From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Round 1: Losail, Qatar Track length: 5400m Opened: 2004 Fastest superbike lap: 1:58.402 (Troy Corser, Yamaha) Lap record: 2:00.061 (Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha) Last year’s winners: Max Biaggi (Suzuki) and James Toseland (Honda) After visiting the Losail International Circuit twice during pre-season tests, Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (both Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) appear to be all set for the 2008 World Superbike season. Both riders have shown their speed on the 2008 spec YZF-R1, being top runners in all three pre-season tests at Qatar and Phillip Island. Having worked through various new and updated components and making sure all parts have been properly checked, the team is confident and ready to race. As track conditions at the Losail track are not optimal at present – and heavy winds are predicted for the first days of the upcoming race weekend – the team is in the fortunate situation of having gathered lots of data from the previous outings. Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) was also out testing recently in Qatar in preparation for the start of the year, running his 2008 spec Yamaha YZF-R1 machine in his one-man team. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “During the winter tests we tried a few new parts, with the variable intake settings for example, and we found a lot of positive results over the past tests. We have put in enough laps in order to be confident. Hopefully the track will clean up a bit as the grip conditions can be quite treacherous out here, especially if the wind is blowing this hard. Whatever conditions we are facing, I am eager to get started, that’s for sure.” Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “We have to see tomorrow how the conditions will be and start working from there. If the weather allows us we would like to get some specific suspension settings double checked but all-in-all I am ready for this race and the season ahead.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “After the last weeks testing we are quite optimistic, we encountered no real big problems. The overall feeling is positive within the team. I guess we have a strong package with both the riders and the 2008 YZF-R1. We are ready to go out and fight for podium spots with Troy and Nori.” Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) “This season is looking good. The preseason testing went very well. I have a better feeling than last year at the same period of time. We shall receive more new engine parts after the Phillip Island race and we are looking for an even better potential.” Martial Garcia (Team Manager, Team YZF Yamaha) “The time that Nakatomi did during the preseason tests in Qatar is satisfying because he did it with 2007 control tyres, when the quicker times were made with 2008 development tyres. We are more ready this year than the beginning of the 2007 season. This is very useful. The Yamaha YZF-R1 is in great shape, and there is an improvement for the suspension with new KYB parts. Parkes and Foret all set for season opener Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret (both Yamaha World Supersport Team) declared themselves ready to take the 2008-specification Yamaha YZF-R6 into competitive action this weekend after their final pre-season test was completed last week in Qatar. Although the ever-changing Losail track is looking set to be a handful in the next few days, in terms of a lack of grip from the asphalt, the time spent on this same venue during the winter tests could prove to be a real advantage come raceday, Saturday 23 February. Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) “We are lucky to have tested here recently and that we were able to find a good base set-up. Overall I am very happy with the new YZF-R6. The aerodynamics work better for me as I am now more tucked into the bike compared to the previous one and for sure the YCC-I system make a big difference. If weather conditions remain the same, I will try to keep my head down tomorrow and not put anything on the line.” Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) “It looks like there will be pretty hard conditions out there tomorrow. I am not going to push too hard, that is for sure. We improved over the last weeks and I am confident in the bike and team. I am looking forward to finally get started.” Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team) “We have spent eight days of testing with the 2008 YZF-R6 and so far we made big steps. The Phillip Island test was all about fine-tuning and finding the best set-up for the riders. It looks like we found a solid base set-up and the riders seem to have the speed. The weather forecast for tomorrow does not look too good but let’s hope for better conditions over the weekend.”