SBK CORONA EXTRA SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® PIRELLI TEST PHILLIP ISLAND 13rd, 14th and 15th JANUARY FIRST DAY Phillip Island, Saturday 13 January 2007 DAY ONE OF AUSSIE TESTING GOES TO LOCAL BOY BAYLISS The first sessions of the latest round of World Superbike development tests, being held at Phillip Island between 13 and 15 January saw a fast pace from the off, with the best time finally being set by Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) with a highly impressive 1’32.8. In second place on the time sheets, new SBK inductee Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) was once more on the pace on a 1’33.2 on the new 2007 GSX-R. Third fastest slot was shared by James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) each on 1’33.3. KAWASAKI DUO MOVING ON EARLY Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) scored fifth best time, just in front of Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse), how own team-mate, with Laconi on 1’33.5 and Nieto just behind by one tenth, on the same time as Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia). Eighth quickest was Bayliss’ team-mate, Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) less than a second down on Bayliss. Another tough first day of testing for Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) put him ninth, with new Honda rider Roby Rolfo easing himself into his new role at this fast circuit, with a 1’35.4. Two more days remain for all riders to make a bigger impression and work through the 2007 development tyres. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Of the nine Supersport riders on display only eight recorded times, after Gianluca Nannelli’s SC Caracchi Ducati machine experienced technical difficulties. With both main Honda riders, Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) falling early on, the leading pace was set in fine style by Yamaha riders Broc Parkes (Yamaha Supersport Racing) and his team-mate Kevin Curtain. Parkes was fastest of all, with a 1’35.2, with Curtain only two tenths behind. Charpentier and Sofuoglu were equal third fastest. Quickest Kawasaki rider was Pere Riba (Gil Kawasaki) on 1’36.6, while 2002 World Champion Fabien Foret, set a 1’36.9. Barry Veneman (Hoegee Suzuki) was the fastest of the GSX-R riders (on a 1’37.6) with his team-mate Vesa Kallio, eighth. RESULTS (NOT OFFICIAL): SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: 1. Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1’32″8; 2. Biaggi (Ita-Suzuki) 1’33″2; 3. Toseland (GB-Honda) 1’33″4; 4. Haga (Gia-Yamaha) 1’33″4; 5. Laconi (Fra-Kawasaki) 1’33″5; 6. Nieto (Spa-id) 1’33″6; 7. Corser (Aus-Yamaha) 1’33″6; 8. Lanzi (Ita-Ducati) 1’33″7; 9. Kagayama (Gia-Suzuki) 1’34″1; 10. Rolfo (Ita-Honda) 1’35″4. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: 1. Parkes (Aus-Yamaha) 1’35″2; 2. Curtain (id) 1’35″4; 3. Charpentier (Fra-Honda) 1’36″3; 4. Sofuoglu (Tur-id) 1’36″3; 5. Riba (Fra-Kawasaki) 1’36″6; 6. Foret (Fra-id) 1’36″9; 7. Veneman (Ola-Suzuki) 1’37″6; 8. Kallio (Fin-id) 1’38″9; 9. Nannelli (Ita-Ducati) n.a.