The Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team has declared itself ready to challenge for the 2009 championship title after a two-day test at Phillip Island in Australia, venue for the first round of the series next weekend (27 February-1 March). The squad’s latest recruit, British rider, Jonathan Rea, set the fastest time of the test with a lap of 1’31.8s, on a par with the existing lap record set by Troy Corser in 2007. As well as a fast lap, last season’s World Supersport runner-up from Ballymena in Northern Ireland, today concentrated on race simulations in preparation for the new season ahead. Rea’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Carlos Checa, did not at ride at Phillip Island today following a heavy crash yesterday, which resulted in a bang on the head and a sore shoulder. The Spaniard, however, who finished his rookie championship in 2008 in fourth place with two race wins, is confident of a strong start in next weekend’s opener. Ryuichi Kiyonari, riding under the Honda Accessories banner for 2009, set a fastest time of 1’33.1s during the test and the Japanese ace is looking forward to adding to the three wins a scored in his first World Superbike championship last season. Jonathan Rea best time 1’31.8s Well, according to some websites, I crashed today and was like seventh quickest. I’m happy to report, however, that I didn’t crash and did a 1’31.8s lap which we think was the fastest today! What matters is that we were able to find a setting that allows some tyre life at the end of the race and that I’m getting to grips with the traction control. We did two full race simulations today and the bike felt great. We know what we have to do next weekend but I’m really excited at the potential we’ve shown here. Carlos Checa 1’33.3s My shoulder is still a little sore and my head, well, that’s always had some problems! No, I am really OK and will be fit for next weekend’s first round after some rest this week. I was able to complete a good number of laps to try some new things, but we were hoping to try a new rear tyre, which unfortunately we couldn’t do. With the weather in Portimao and the crash here, it hasn’t been the perfect winter testing, but I like Phillip Island and I’m looking forward to racing again next weekend. Ryuichi Kiyonari best time 1’33.1s I had some problems finding a good set-up on the first day of this test but we made some changes for the second day and definitely made some progress. It was not so much to make one fast lap, but we were happy with consistency of laps during a race simulation. I had a small crash today but it was not such a problem. Of course, there is still some work to do but I am really looking forward to the start of the season next week. Ronald ten Kate team manager We’ve had quite a good test here, although it was disappointing for Carlos. He took a big knock to the head and his shoulder was sore but he has had a thorough check-up and will be good to go next week. It’s a shame because he was one of the fastest riders at that point of the weekend, so I’m sure he will be on the pace when it matters. We’ve made some progress on the second day with Kiyo-san and he is definitely fast on race tyres. Jonathan also found things a little difficult on the first day, but some overnight changes put the bike in the right place and he put in some quick times. There are still some issues on race distances but, all in all, it’s been a positive test and we’re in good shape for next week and the season ahead. More, from another press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Hannspree Ten Kate Honda head into the 2009 World Supersport championship season in search of the team’s eighth consecutive title. And with the 2007 and 2008 champion riders lining up alongside each other in the team’s pit box, the challenge is clear. Andrew Pitt (2008 champion) and Kenan Sofuoglu (2007) have just completed a two-day test at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia in preparation for the 2009 opener at the same circuit next weekend (27 February 1 March). Setting the fastest time of the test, it was Sofuoglu who edged out his team-mate by just one tenth of a second, indicating a thrilling and highly competitive season ahead for the Honda CBR600RR-mounted riders. Kenan Sofuoglu best time 1’34.7s I am very happy and cannot wait to race my bike again next weekend. It was a little difficult to find a rhythm on the first day of this test but it all came together on day two and the bike is feeling fantastic again. There is still some more to come but I’m comfortable with the bike, the team and everything, so I’m really feeling positive for the season ahead. Andrew Pitt best time 1’34.8s The times have been pretty good, even though we had a few problems yesterday and only managed about an hour in the morning when the conditions here are at their best. We made some changes and today I did a few laps first thing, changed tyres and was on it straight away. I’m looking forward to the race next weekend, especially starting the season at home as world champion. Ronald ten Kate team manager We tried some different set-ups on the first day and found the right direction to go in today. It has been quite straightforward and both riders were comfortable putting in faster laps and doing race simulations, both of which were faster than last year’s race. Everyone is feeling very positive for the start of another World Supersport season on the amazing Honda CBR600RR. More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsports: PARKES AND TAMADA READY TO ROLL… The 2009 World Superbike Championship gets underway at Phillip Island in Australia next weekend (March 1st) with the Paul Bird Motorsport Team hoping to turn the fortunes around for the Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team. Following a successful first venture into the Hannspree World Superbike Championship last year, team owner Paul Bird has joined forces with Kawasaki Motors Europe and will run the official factory Ninja ZX-10R in 2009 with Australian Broc Parkes and Japan’s Makoto Tamada. Both riders have good Superbike experience and are expected to show well for the Cumbrian-based team aboard the SuperCasino.com, Vent Axia and Kick Energy-backed machines. 27-year-old Parkes has been twice runner-up in the World Supersport Championship and also finished 11th in the 2002 SBK Championship aboard a privateer Ducati whereas Makoto, now 32, won three World Superbike races in the early years of this millennium, and followed that up with two wins in the 2004 MotoGP series. Testing has gone well over the winter with Parkes and Tamada gelling well with both the bike and the team and both are confident of good performances going into the season opener. Broc Parkes: “I’m really excited to be making the step-up to the Kawasaki World Superbike team after five years racing in Supersport. I’ve started the pre-season testing adapting to the Superbike so our expectations haven’t been too high at this early stage. The testing has been really productive, particularly on Phillip Island, as we discovered a lot about the bike which we wouldn’t have found until the race weekend had we not tested. I’m really happy with the new team and my guys are working hard on developing the bike so we can hopefully get in the points come Phillip Island. I’d love to walk away with a top 10 finish for my home race, but we’ll wait and see. I’ll be giving it my absolute best.” Makoto Tamada: “I’m feeling comfortable with the new structure and set up for 2009 and I believe the team and I have a mutual understanding of what we need to achieve and where we are headed. We share the same problems and I think we will progress in a positive direction in order to get the bike to its highest potential. The pre-season testing has been beneficial and we have been working hard on solving some set-up issues ready for the season opener. Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks from my GP days, except when it’s windy, and I love the enthusiasm of the Australian crowd so I’m really looking forward to the race weekend.” Paul Bird: “I’m confident we can get some good points on the board this weekend and that has to be the main aim. There’s no reason why we can’t score a top ten in Australia first time out but we’re under no illusions as to the enormity of our task. We still are developing the bikes and the first couple of races will be hard but the aim is to get the opening two rounds under our belts and then make some major strides forward once we get back into Europe.” Details and profiles of the riders, team and bikes as well as championship information, pictures and calendar etc can be found at www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/road-race The opening race gets underway on Sunday 1st March at 12.00 local time (01.00 GMT) with race two at 15.30 (04.30 GMT) and British viewers can catch the action live on Eurosport. Saturday 28 Feb 1045-1200 Superpole on Eurosport 2 1630-1730 Highlights on Eurosport 2 2100-2215 Highlights on Eurosport Sunday 1 March 0100-0200 LIVE WSB Race 1 on Eurosport 0200-0300 LIVE WSS Race on Eurosport 0430-0530 LIVE WSB Race 2 on Eurosport 1030-1200 & 2130-2300 Highlights on Eurosport 2 1600-1830 Highlights on Eurosport More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsports: THE PROGRESS CONTINUES AS THE FIRST RACE GETS CLOSER. BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s World Superbike team successfully completed their two day test at Phillip Island and are now looking forward to the first race of the year, which will take place next week at the same circuit. During the two days there was a mixture of sunshine and cloud, together with strong gusty winds on day one. But although there were a few spots of rain on the first day, the track remained dry throughout. Troy finished the test early, thanks to a collision with a bird early in the afternoon of day two. He was going about 230 kph, when he hit the bird and the force of the impact on Troy’s left bicep was enough to wrench his left hand off the handlebars. Somehow Troy managed to keep the control of the bike and not crash, but the doctors advised him to sit out the rest of the day, rather than risk further in jury. Ruben continued his learning curve and was happy to end up far more comfortable with his S 1000 RR by the end of the test . Troy (97 laps, best lap 1:32.9) The tests went very well, though it’s a real shame that I had to finish early because we still had lots more to try out. But, I guess I’m lucky that I didn’t crash and hurt myself badly when I hit the bird. I’m really not sure how I managed to stay on the bike, because it’s not easy when you’ve only got one hand on the bars, but somehow I was able to recover. I had seen the bird on the track and tried to avoid it by going up the inside. But instead of staying put, or flying away from my bike, it flew up right in front of me. Hitting a one kilo or so bird at over 230 kph is like hitting a brick wall, so I’m lucky that my injury isn’t any worse. We have learnt a lot in these two days and I’ve been able to get a better idea of how the bike works in different conditions and set-ups. What I can say though, is that my S 1000 RR feels as good as any other bike I’ve ever ridden round here. Ruben (114 laps, best lap 1:33.5) Generally I’m happy with the tests and how they went and it’s been really good to get more kilometres under my belt. I’m getting used to the S 1000 RR and it’s becoming more and more comfortable for me. We’ve done a lot of work here and made good progress so I’m pleased about our prospects for next weekend. We tried many different set-ups and have given the technicians lots to think about. Now we need to put everything together and keep on improving, but I am confident that this team will get better and better each time we go to the racetrack. More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: HAGA AND FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) COMPLETE SECOND DAY OF TESTING AT THE ISLAND Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 22nd February 2009: The Ducati Xerox Team made good progress during the second and final day of testing at the Island. Both Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio spent their time testing various tyres and set-ups and both completed long runs on their Ducati 1198 machines under clear skies. The lap times of both Noriyuki, in the morning session, and Michel, in the afternoon, were faster than those recorded on Day 1, with Michel recording the fastest time of the day (1m32.1s). It was unfortunate that Noriyuki experienced another fall, the photocopy of yesterday’s fall, but he was unhurt and was able to continue to work until the end of the day’s session. The Ducati Xerox Team now takes a few days off and will return to the track Friday for the first day of the Round 1 race weekend. Noriyuki, Michel and their teams are confident that they are ready to confront the first challenging round of the 2009 season. Michel Fabrizio “We have worked mainly on getting up to race pace today and it’s gone pretty well. In the late morning I completed a long-run with lap times that were similar to those I recorded during last year’s race here so I was pleased with that. It’s all looking good for next weekend and I’m feeling quietly confident. Noriyuki Haga “I’d say overall that it has been a productive day. We have once again tested many different things and I feel I’m starting to know the bike better but we still have work to do in order to test all the configurations that the bike permits. I rode race distance which was a useful exercise and I was quite happy with the wear of the tyres, especially the front. On Friday we want to test some different suspension settings as I am not yet totally comfortable with the front. I’m sorry that I crashed again in exactly the same way and place as yesterday but accidents happen and overall I’m happy with the work we’ve done here.” TIMES: Day 2 Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.1s; Haga (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.3s More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TROY SURVIVES NASTY MOMENT! Early in the afternoon on the final day of the two day test at Phillip Island, Troy had a nasty moment when he hit a bird at over 230 kph! The force of the impact pulled Troy’s left hand from the handlebars and Troy had to fight to control his BMW S 1000 RR with just his right hand. Somehow he managed to regain control and was able to get his left hand back on the bars, just in the nick of time, and avoid crashing. But the bird’s impact on Troy’s left bicep caused enough pain to prevent him from getting any more track action. He went to Clinica Mobile and was advised to rest the left arm as much as possible and get it in better shape for the race next weekend. Troy (97 laps, best lap 1:32.9) That was a very scary moment I can tell you. I saw the bird on the track and moved inside to avoid it, but it flew up at the last moment – straight into my left bicep. Hitting a one kilo or so bird at over 230 kph is no joke and my left hand was forced from the handlebar and I had to control the bike with just my right hand! I’m not sure how I managed it, but somehow I did and was able to get the bike back to the pits. The left bicep was already swollen so I paid a trip to the doctors and was told not to get on the bike again and rest the arm as much as possible. It was a pity, because we had quite a bit more to test and were not able to do so. But, we did manage a lot of stuff and I feel very comfortable on the bike. The S 1000 RR feels as good round Phillip Island as any other bike I’ve ridden round here. I’m not bothered at all about other people’s lap times. I know what I can do on race rubber and I know that laps in a long race are very different to setting one-off quick laps. We are progressing and although there is a lot of work to be done, everybody is fired up, working hard and determined to do the very best they can. Let’s see what happens next week now. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group/InFront Motor Sports: Michel Fabrizio powered his Ducati 1098R to the top slot on the final day of pre-season testing at Phillip Island, the venue for next weekend’s opening round of the 2009 championship. The 24 year-old from Rome lapped in 1 minute 32.19 seconds, just three-tenths away from the Australian circuit’s outright record of 1’31″826, set by Troy Corser (Yamaha) in 2007, and four-tenths of a second quicker than Troy Bayliss’s 2008 fastest race lap. The Italian twin-cylinder machine also went well in the hands of Noriyuki Haga, who ended the day second quickest with a time of 1’32″30. After his lap, Haga then fell at the same Turn 2 where he crashed yesterday. Yamaha’s new signing Ben Spies made a big step forward, the Texan setting an excellent time of 1’32″36 on a track he experienced for the first time yesterday. Suzuki Alstare took one step backwards, with Saturday’s pace-setter Max Neukirchner unable to go any quicker than 1’33″03, while team-mate Yukio Kagayama was four-tenths slower than yesterday’s pace. The Suzukis were struggling with rapid tyre wear and the team engineers had to concentrate on set-up to try and resolve the problem in view of next Sunday’s two 22-lap races. BMW managed to dip below the 1’33” mark, Troy Corser setting a respectable time of 1’32″93 before being forced to stop due to a not uncommon occurrence at this circuit, a collision with a seagull. The Australian suffered a nasty blow on his right arm, which kept him out of action for the afternoon session. Earlier on in the week Max Biaggi had lapped in 1’32″59 on his Aprilia RSV4: the Italian machine, which is the other major new entry in 2009 together with BMW, could be on the pace right away come next weekend. Carlos Checa (Honda Ten Kate) had to miss the final day of testing after suffering concussion in his crash at the hairpin on Saturday. Today also saw crashes for Jonathan Rea (Honda Ten Kate) and Tom Sykes (Yamaha), but neither rider suffered any consequences and both will be at full strength for next Friday’s opening practice sessions. In Supersport the quickest time was set by 2007 champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Honda) ahead of Garry McCoy with the increasingly competitive three-cylinder Triumph 675: the Australian also crashed out today, but without problems. Overall times (unofficial) Superbike – 1. Fabrizio (Ducati) 1’32″19; 2. Haga (Ducati) 1’32″30; 3. Spies (Yamaha) 1’32″36; 4. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 1’32″59; 5. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1’32″78; 6. Corser (BMW) 1’32″93; 7. Rea (Honda) 1’32″96; 8. Sykes (Yamaha) 1’33″10; 9. Xaus (BMW) 1’33″53. Supersport – 1.Sofuoglu (Honda) 1’34″7; 2. McCoy (Triumph) 1’34″8; 3. Pitt (Honda) 1’34″8; 4. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1’35″3; 5. Foret (Yamaha) 1’35″8; 6. Nannelli (Triumph) 1’36″3; 7. Pradita (Yamaha) 1’37″3. More, from a press release issued by ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing: ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing set for Phillip Island Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing has concluded a series of pre-season tests just a few hours ago. The two days of testing on the Phillip Island track have helped both Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli to get ready for the first round taking place on the Australian circuit on March 1. Garry McCoy posted the second best time thanks to a great set-up. On the other hand,Gianluca Nannelli has done well too. The Italian rider took to the track in pretty bad physical shape. Nevertheless he has found a setting that deeply satisfies him. Now both riders and the entire team will get a few days rest, anxiously waiting for Friday, when they will be back on the circuit for the first test sessions of the 2009 WSS opening round. LUCIO NICASTRO | Team Manager:” Both the team and our riders have done a terrific job during the testing as we have worked a lot on the race setup. We have also tested a series of long run that helped us improve the bike’s setup. In fact, not overstressing the limit of the bike will enable us to record similar times to those of the first laps even after 20 laps. Garry was fast from the beginning because he knows the track very well and has had very good results on it. Nannelli has only managed to do proper tests in the afternoon of day 2. He has suffered because of jet lag and low blood pressure that prevented him from being consistent. Nonetheless,he managed to set a great time when the track was slower for everybody for about one second. He can definitely improve starting Friday when things get serious.” Times(unofficial): DAY 1 1. McCoy (Triumph) 1’35″6; 2. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1’35″7; 3. Foret (Yamaha) 1’35″8; 4. Pitt (Honda) 1’35″8; 5. Sofuoglu (Honda) 1’36″0; 6. Nannelli (Triumph) 1’36″8; 7. Pradita (Yamaha) 1’38″3. DAY 2 1. Sofuoglu (Honda) 1’34″7 2.McCoy (Triumph) 1’34″8 ; 3. Pitt (Honda) 1’34″8; 4. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1’35″4 ; 5. Foret (Yamaha) 1’35″6 ; 6. Nannelli (Triumph) 1’36″2; 7. Pradita (Yamaha) 1’37″9.