BAYLISS SCORES A 1’33.317 TO TOP TESTING YET AGAIN Once more the 2001 World Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) dominated the time sheets in World Superbike testing, taking a new track record at Misano Adriatico with a 1.33.317 lap, set in the final session of the two-day test. With only half an hour to run on day two, drama afflicted the last session when an oil spill around turn one stopped the track action for cleaning, with the residual cement dust left on the circuit affected some riders’ ultimate best times. Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) set the second fastest lap of the test, half a second from Bayliss, with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) moving up the order on the second day to take third place overall.
Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) made the factory Ducati team’s short run down the A14 Autostrada from Bologna more worthwhile with the fourth best time of the two days.

KAWASAKI RIDERS FORM A FAST TRIO The three-rider PSG-1 Kawasaki squad were so closely matched in their single flying laps that Chris Walker, Regis Laconi and Fonsi Nieto could only be separated by 0.197 seconds, with Walker fifth fastest – the last man inside the 1.33 barrier. Such was the closeness of the test in general that second to 15th places were separated by just over one second. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) rounded out the top eight (despite not improving his times in the final session), closely followed by the privateer Sterilgarda Berik Ducati of Ruben Xaus and the Yamaha Motor Italia machine of Andrew Pitt. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) hopped up the order in the final session, scoring 11th place overall, making him top rider in his three-man team. Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) was 19th fastest at a circuit he has shown no real liking for.

FORET TO THE FORE AS BARROS IMPROVES Former Misano WSS race winner, Fabien Foret (Alstare Engineering Corona Extra Suzuki) continues his SBK learning curve at a high pace, setting 13th best time at Misano, and heading up the former MotoGP race winner, Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda). Barros enjoyed some improved engine specs at Misano, giving him increased confidence for the next championship round at Valencia, on 23 April. With his team-mate Pierfrancesco Chili out through injury, Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda) went 14th on his home circuit. On the final day he was joined in the DFX garage by Gianluca Nannelli, who set 37 laps and finished the final session 24th out of 27. Steve Martin once more proved his worth to the Petronas team with 15th best time, just over a second slower than second placed Troy Corser.

SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Broc Parkes left the two day Misano Supersport test with his name at the top of the standings, and an impressive new circuit best of 1’36.411 in his pocket. As the development teams worked their way through a new selection of control Pirelli tyres, the LBR Ducati of Christian Zaiser continued its strong day one form to take the second fastest lap of all, heading up Yamaha Team Italia rider Gianluca Vizziello and Parkes’ team-mate, Kevin Curtain. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Megabike Honda) went fifth fastest overall as he recovers from a broken wrist, putting him one place ahead of Vizziello’s team-mate, Massimo Roccoli.

ROUND THREE BECKONS The third round of the Superbike and Supersport championships take place at Valencia, Spain, between 21 and 23 April.