Submitted by Kropotkin on
Testing concluded for the penultimate time at Phillip Island, with only one more batch of riders due to test at the Australian circuit before the season commences in just over a week's time. Where Shinya Nakano had been quickest yesterday, today, it was the turn of his Aprilia team mate Max Biaggi to top the timesheets. The Roman Emperor just pipped Regis Laconi to the post, the DFX Ducati rider lapping only one hundredth of a second slower. Nakano was third fastest, ahead of an unleashed Broc Parkes on the Kawasaki. The Akashi factory may have pulled out of MotoGP, but they have stepped up support for some of the other series, posting a huge contingency in the AMA, and promising much more support in World Superbikes. By the look of Parkes' performance today, they may have got it right.
Of the World Supersport bikes, it was a former Kawasaki rider who topped the timesheets. Ant West repeated his performance from yesterday, setting the fastest lap on his Stiggy Motorsports Honda.
The next test will be this weekend, and then racing begins in earnest.
World Superbike
| Pos. | Rider | Bike | Time | Total laps |
| 1 | Max Biaggi | Aprilia | 1'32.59 | 71 |
| 2 | Regis Laconi | Ducati | 1'32.60 | 62 |
| 3 | Shinya Nakano | Aprilia | 1'32.72 | 68 |
| 4 | Broc Parkes | Kawasaki | 1'32.90 | 70 |
| 5 | Leon Haslam | Honda | 1'33.20 | 65 |
| 6 | Tommy Hill | Honda | 1'33.30 | 55 |
| 7 | Roberto Rolfo | Honda | 1'33.50 | 95 |
| 8 | Makoto Tamada | Kawasaki | 1'33.90 | 80 |
World Supersport
| Pos. | Rider | Bike | Time |
| 1 | Ant West | Honda | 1'35.90 |
| 2 | Matthieu Lagrive | Honda | 1'36.00 |
| 3 | Mark Aitchison | Honda | 1'36.00 |
| 4 | Gianluca Vizziello | Honda | 1'36.70 |
Comments
I know this is still only a
I know this is still only a test, but the times, whilst looking good, would still have only put Biaggi 8th or 9th after session 2 of last years race. This weekends test will be the true measure of how they stack up.
Interesting that there is a test the week before the race. No one should have any excuses now! Can't wait, plane tickets bought, car hired.....
You're very lucky, and I'm
You're very lucky, and I'm insanely jealous. Enjoy!
I used to be luckier!
I moved from Melbourne to Cairns a month ago, so PI used to be right on my doorstep. Now it's a reasonable flight away, but thanks to discount airfares, not unobtainable.
Having sampled Valencia last year, I am now envious of all the European rounds you guys can get to.