Neukirchner leads the way in Phillip Island test

Alstare Suzuki man Max Neukirchner topped the time sheets on the opening day of the final two day test at Phillip Island. The 24 year old German riding the new 2009 GSXR-1000 set a time of 1m 32.5s to match Max Biaggi’s best lap time set earlier in the week.

Second place went to Xerox Ducati man Michel Fabrizio who continued his impressive testing form and is quickly establishing himself as a title contender. The young Italian overcame a crash but set a best time just 0.2s slower than Neukirchner.

Yukio Kagayama showed that the Alstare Suzuki is clearly working well by ending the day third quickest. Britain’s Jonathon Rea was top Honda in fourth. The 22 year old made good progress on bike set-up and was able to set fast times in the morning and the afternoon when the track temperature rose.  

Noriyuki Haga survived a crash at the fast turn two to go fifth, half a second off the pace. Yamaha Superbike riders Tom Sykes and Ben Spies made good progress during their first ever day at the Phillip Island circuit. Despite no previous knowledge of the track Sykes secured sixth with Spies in seventh.

Carlos Checa had a tough start to his testing campaign when he high sided his Ten Kate Honda and was taken to hospital with concussion. The Spaniard has now been released but will have to be assessed tomorrow if he wants to continue testing.

Troy Corser claimed ninth despite a crash ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari and Ruben Xaus.

   1. Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki) 1’32″5
   2. Michel Fabrizio (Xerox Ducati) 1’32″7
   3. Yukio  Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) 1’32″7
   4. Jonathan Rea (Ten Kate Honda) 1’32″9
   5. Noriyuki Haga (Xerox Ducati) 1’33″0
   6. Tom Sykes (Yamaha Superbike) 1’33″2
   7. Ben Spies (Yamaha Superbike) 1’33″3
   8. Carlos Checa (Ten Kate Honda) 1’33″3
   9. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad) 1’33″8
  10. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda) 1’34″0;
  11. Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad) 1’34″3.

 

 

In Supersport factory Yamaha man Cal Crutchlow was immediately on the pace to claim second position despite it being his first ever visit to the circuit. Crutchlow was denied the fastest time by track legend Garry McCoy onboard the BE1 Triumph.

1.     Garry McCoy (BE1 Triumph) 1’35″6;
2.     Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Supersport) 1’35″7
3.     Fabien Foret (Yamaha Supersport ) 1’35″8
4.     Andrew Pitt (Ten Kate Honda) 1’35″8
5.     Kenan Sofuoglu (Ten Kate Honda) 1’36″0
6.     Gianluca Nannelli (BE1 Triumph) 1’36″8
7.     Doni Tata Pradita (Yamaha YZF ) 1’38″3