Leon Haslam posted the fastest lap time overall on the third and final day of World Superbike testing at the Algarve Circuit, in Portimao, Portugal. Haslam lapped the undulating circuit in an unofficial 1:42.2 while using a Pirelli qualifying tire on his S1000RR, according to the official Superbike World Championship website. Haslam’s new teammate Marco Melandri was just a tick slower when he fitted his qualifying tire, turning a 1:42.4, and BMW Motorrad Italia Ayrton Badovini was right on the qualifying pace with a 1:42.5 on his S1000RR. The fastest rider on Pirelli race tires, according to www.worldsbk.com, was Alitalia Aprilia’s new recruit Eugene Laverty, who recorded a 1:42.7 on his RSV4 Factory. Laverty’s teammate, 2010 Superbike World Champion Max Biaggi nearly matched Laverty with an unofficial 1:42.8 on race rubber. Badovini, Haslam and Melandri were all credited with 1:43.1 laps while using race tires. Chaz Davies continued his strong debut on his ParkinGO Aprilia, posting a 1:43.2 lap time on race tires, out doing the race-tire times of Crescent Suzuki’s Leon Camier (1:43.8), Badovini’s teammate Michel Fabrizio (1:43.9) and Alastair Seeley (1:44.1), who tested in place of Crescent Suzuki’s injured John Hopkins. An official testing ban goes into effect tomorrow, December 1, and lasts until January 15. More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport: BMW Motorrad Motorsport happy with test in Portimão. Portimão, 30th November 2011. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport has completed its test programme of 2011 with three successful days in Portimão (POR). The teams participating in the FIM Superbike World Championship are now not allowed to test between 1st December and 15th January 2012. Over the next few weeks the squad will continue to prepare for the coming season at its bases in Munich and Stephanskirchen (GER). The testing ban meant it was once again vital for the team to gather extensive data at the final test of the year in Portugal (28th to 30th November). This data will now form the basis for the work to be carried out over the coming weeks. The team arrived in Portimão to find conditions very similar to those they experienced last week in Jerez de la Frontera (ESP), the weather was mainly sunny and the mild temperatures were over 20 degrees Celsius ideal working conditions. Leon Haslam (GBR) and Marco Melandri (ITA) were joined this time by BMW Motorrad test and development rider Steve Martin (AUS). Marco posted the unofficial best time (1:42.4 minutes) at this test, which was held along with other teams. The team had an extensive programme to get through in Portimão. It worked on set-up solutions for the new engine spec of the 2012 version of the BMW S 1000 RR. These will now be refined on the dynamic testing rig in Munich. Modifications and optimal changes were made to the gearbox. In terms of the chassis, the team tested various components, including new swingarms and base set-ups. The modified BMW electronics were further optimised, and the team managed to further improve the handling of the RR. New brake components were also tested successfully. The team also worked on the aerodynamics, weight distribution and ergonomics. “I am very happy. It was very good to come back to Portimão and set constantly quick lap times on this track, on which we were not so competitive last season,” said BMW Motorrad factory rider Leon Haslam. “This shows that we have taken a really good step forward, particularly in regard to the engine characteristic and the electronics. We also found very good settings with the new chassis. The team will now use the coming two months to prepare everything for Australia. If we continue in this direction, everything is looking good for Phillip Island. I will now return to England and have an intensive fitness programme with my trainer lined up for December and January. And I am really excited about the birth of our first child very soon.” “We had ideal weather and test conditions at both the tests in Jerez and Portimão. As such, we were able to get through a comprehensive workload with our riders,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier. “We tested most of the topics we had on our list. We were able to further optimise all areas of the 2012 version of the RR and will now focus on fine-tuning over the coming weeks in Munich and Stephanskirchen. In general, I can say that we look forward optimistically to go to Phillip Island in February. I am also pretty happy with our newly assembled race team. The cooperation is working excellently, both from a technical and human point of view. It is a very harmonious and creative working environment. The entire team has gelled together brilliantly within a very short space of time.” Before the official start of the FIM Superbike World Championship season on 26th February 2012 in Phillip Island (AUS) Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport will conduct two more tests at this venue: from 13th to 15th February and at the official Infront Test on 20th and 21st February.