USA World Superbikes: Troy Bayliss again in first qualifying

Troy Bayliss took provisional pole position for Sunday’s two World Superbike races in Salt Lake City after posting an impressive lap time of 1min 49.394secs.

Xerox Ducati rider Bayliss has had no problem adapting to the new circuit with his lap time faster than the current AMA lap record.

Speaking to MCN Bayliss said: “I like the track. In terms of layout it’s like Qatar, but in terms of the surface, level of grip and the bumps it’s like Misano.

“I don’t think tyres are going to be a big problem. I did a race distance on a rear tyre this morning and I’ve done a race distance on a front this afternoon. We’ve got harder options for both if we need them so we’re going to be ok.

“We’ve all been able to get up to speed pretty quickly around this track, but I think it’s good that we’re doing the shorter layout. The longer track is a 2min 46sec lap and there are a lot more turns which would have made it a lot harder to learn.”

Fellow Australian Troy Corser was as equally impressive setting a fast lap and also happy with the performance of his tyres.

Corser said: “The track is nice and the bike is working well. It’s not been difficult to learn so I’m not surprised at the pace we’re setting.

“The part of the track where we crossover the AMA track is really slippery but with every lap it’s getting better so we’re going to get faster. Because of the altitude here the bike feels flat – it’s like an R6 not an R1.”

Ten Kate Honda man Carlos Checa backed up his morning pace to set the third fastest time with Jacob Smrtz also impressing to take fourth.

Noriyuki Haga finished the day in tenth place after struggling with the balance of his Yamaha R1 but is confident of significant improvements tomorrow.

Max Biaggi survived a high speed trip into the gravel at turn one after having to save a big moment breaking from 190mph. The Italian ended the session down in 16th place 1.6seconds off the pace.

Salt Lake City World Superbike qualifying one results:
 
 
1 Troy BAYLISS AUS Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1’49.394
2 Troy CORSER AUS Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1’49.636
3 Carlos CHECA ESP Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.732
4 Jakub SMRZ CZE Guandalini Racing by Grifo’s Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’49.758
5 Michel FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098 F08 1’49.872
6 Fonsi NIETO ESP Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’49.895
7 Yukio KAGAYAMA JPN Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.135
8 Ruben XAUS ESP Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’50.230
9 Ayrton BADOVINI ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.269
10 Noriyuki HAGA JPN Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Yamaha YZF-R1 1’50.349
11 Shuhei AOYAMA JPN Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.413
12 Makoto TAMADA JPN Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.439
13 Karl MUGGERIDGE AUS D.F. Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.481
14 Regis LACONI FRA Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.618
15 Max NEUKIRCHNER GER Team Alstare Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.929
16 Max BIAGGI ITA Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’51.077
17 Kenan SOFUOGLU TUR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr. Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.229
18 Sebastien GIMBERT FRA Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1’51.318
19 Lorenzo LANZI ITA R.G. Team Ducati 1098 RS 08 1’51.353
20 Shinichi NAKATOMI JPN YZF Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R1 1’51.386
21 Russel HOLLAND AUS D.F. Racing – Bertocchi Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.399
22 Gregorio LAVILLA ESP Ventaxia VK Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.418
23 Ryuichi KIYONARI JPN Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.637
24 Justin PRIDMORE USA Alto Evolution Honda Superbike Honda CBR1000RR 1’52.025
25 Vittorio IANNUZZO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’52.300
26 David CHECA ESP Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 Yamaha YZF-R1 1’52.490
27 Loic NAPOLEONE FRA Grillini PBR Team Yamaha YZF-R1 1’53.224
28 Roberto ROLFO ITA Hannspree Honda Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1’53.804
29 Scott JENSEN USA On The Throttle.TV Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 1’53.939