News 11 Dec 2009

WSBK: Biaggi fastest on second and final day at Valencia test

Day two of Superbike World Championship testing at Valencia in Spain has seen Italian four-time 250cc Grand Prix World Champion Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) top the timesheets with a 1:33.8.

Biaggi’s lap was the only time under 1:34 and it was an ominous sign for his rivals, the Roman Emperor consistently fast in race pace as well as quick for one lap during the test.

Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki) took half a second off his first day time, setting a 1:34.0, heading three other British riders in the final times at the unofficial test to wrap up 2009.

World Supersport Champion Cal Crutchlow ( Sterilgarda Yamaha) was fourth quickest with a 1:34.1, Jonathan Rea (Ten Kate Honda) took his Honda to a time just 0.1 seconds behind, while James Toseland (Yamaha) continued his transition back to WSBK with a 1:34.3 after a consistent test.

Rea’s new teammate Max Neukirchner posted a 1:34.7, with the rider who replaced him at Suzuki, Sylvain Guintoli, setting his best lap of 1:35.0. Two crashes today held back British Superbike Champion Leon Camier, but despite working more on set-up than on pace, he did a 1:35.2.

In Supersport, Ten Kate Honda teammates Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro were the only two riders out, with Sofuoglu doing a 1:36.1 today and Pirro improving to a 1:36.4.

Teams will take to the track again at the official tests at Portimao in Portugal at the end of January.

World Superbike Day Two Test Times
1. M.Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) 1:33.8
2. L.Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) 1:34.0
3. C.Crutchlow (Sterilgarda Yamaha) 1:34.1
4. J.Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) 1:34.2
5. J.Toseland (Sterilgarda Yamaha) 1:34.3
6. M.Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) 1:34.7
7. S.Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) 1:35.0
8. L.Camier (Aprilia Racing) 1:35.2.

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