Bayliss,
Corser, Xaus and Toseland top Donington
(World SuperBike Release)
BAYLISS AND CORSER THE EARLY LEADERS AT DONINGTON - BAYLISS TAKES NEW
CIRCUIT BEST LAP IN SBK DESPITE COLD WEATHER Troy Bayliss (Ducati
Xerox) pocketed the new circuit best lap on an SBK weekend with a
stunning 1’32.333, with possibly more to come if the weather conditions
improve for day two of qualifying tomorrow. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor
Italia) also went under the previous best with his 1’32.817 lap time,
but he fell towards the end of the session, without significant injury.
The wet morning untimed session saw Corser fastest while in the
afternoon a narrow dry line, around almost the entire circuit, allowed
all riders to improve on their early marks. Both track and air
temperatures failed to rise into double figures, with the air
temperature only 8°C and the track 7°C.
XAUS BACK IN THE TOP LEVEL ON 2006 FACTORY DUCATI Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda
Ducati) proved that he still has all the speed of his factory years on
his year-old Ducati 999 machine, scoring third fastest lap of the
session in tricky conditions. He was just ahead (by only 0.046 seconds)
of current championship leader James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate
Honda). Toseland’s old Ducati team-mate Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki
Corse) was the quickest rider on a Kawasaki, and his inclusion in the
day one top five put four different manufacturers into the top five
places.
PRIVATEER MUGGERIDGE BACK TO FITNESS AND GOOD PACE Karl Muggeridge
(Alto Evolution Honda) has only recently recovered from a left ankle
and foot injury but he still posted sixth fastest time on the opening
day. Another rider who was involved in a race to be fit for Donington
(Yukio Kagayama from the Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra Team) went seventh
quickest before falling and having to visit the medical centre. He was
finally declared unfit to ride after examination. His best time was
just ahead of the final top ten riders, Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor
Italia), his team-mate Max Biaggi (who experienced clutch problems with
his GSX-R near the end) and a fast rider in the wet morning session,
Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda).
BUSSEI GETS A TOW TO GO 11th FASTEST Giovanni Bussei (Sterilgarda
Ducati) was an impressive 11th fastest at Donington after towing his
motorcycle to Donington behind a car, in the old-fashioned way. He was
just up on countryman Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda), with the top
16 rounded out by Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse), Steve Martin (DFX
Corse Honda), Muggeridge’s team-mate Joshua Brookes and German
privateer Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Germany).
WORLD SUPERSPORT - SOFUOGLU USURPED BY WET WEATHER SPECIALISTS In a wet
qualifying session, also held in cold conditions, surprising results
were the order of the first day when Matthieu Lagrive (Intermoto Czech
Honda) qualified fastest with WSS rookie rider Davide Giugliano
(Kawasaki Lightspeed) second. World championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu
(Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was third fastest, with replacement rider
Arnaud Vincent (Tati Team Beaujolais Yamaha) fourth, just up on local
rider and WSS regular Craig Jones (Reve Ekerold Honda Racing).
Of great significance in the championship fight, three top riders fell
and suffered injuries in the wet morning session. Kevin Curtain and
Broc Parkes both fell at the same Goddards corner in different
incidents, and each injured their left collarbones, ruling themselves
out the Donington race. Reigning champion Sebastien Charpentier hurt
his previously injured collarbone and pelvis in another crash, and was
finally declared unfit.
SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP - PIRRO FASTEST AFTER ONE DAY Superstock new
rider Michele Pirro (Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha) was the fastest rider
on show at the first session of the opening round of the 2007 season,
with his own team-mate Claudio Corti second quickest, from 39 entered
riders. Didier Van Keymeulen (TTSL MGM Racing Yamaha) the former
champion of this class, was third fastest, with the first Suzuki
proving to be that of Ilario Dionisi (Cruciani Moto Suzuki Italia).
Ayrton Badovini (Biassono Unionbike MV Agusta) was the best MV rider,
fifth fastest. Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox 1098) made an impact in his
first sessions on the 1098 Ducati, going seventh in the first practice
rankings.
SUPERSTOCK 600 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - BERGER FOR FRANCE Maxime Berger
(Team Trasimeno Yamaha) made the best of a drying track to score a
1’38.313 in the 600cc division, and take fastest time of the day.
Michele Magnoni (Bevilaqua Yamaha) was next fastest, with local rider
Greg Black (Politas Racing Team Yamaha) third. Sylvain Barrier (Coutelle
Junior Team Yamaha) rounded out the top four, while Andrea Antonelli
(Team Italia Megabike Honda) was the first CBR600RR rider on show.
