05 WSB GSX-Rs on test

Yukio Kagayama got his first taste this week of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 that he will be riding in World Superbikes this season.

The Japanese rider and British favourite spent three days lapping the Australian Phillip Island circuit with new Alstare team-mate Troy Corser on the K5 GSX-R and came away with lap times close to the fastest race lap last year.

Kagayama managed a best lap of 1:34.8 while Corser went one better setting a best lap of 1:34.2. The best lap stands at 1:34.514.

Neither rider will forget the test in a hurry with Kagayama managing to escape from a crash unhurt and Corser hitting two gulls at the seaside track.

The Yamaha team of Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt are testing their R1 today, Sunday January 23, and we will bring you all the news on how it goes.

MORE IN MCN – OUT ON WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 26, 2005.