Parkalgar WSB test news in brief

Ten Kate Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari had two steering dampers one under the other fitted to his Ten Kate Honda in Portugal.

Kiyonari likes his steering heavily damped and because he had to have his damper wound up to the maximum it had caused some problems during last years races.

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The team had already re-valved the single damper but then came up with the novel solution of fitting two.

Airwaves Yamaha boss Colin Wright spent two days at Parkalgar with the factory Yamaha Italia team.

The BSB squad will be sharing data and development with the Italian team in an effort to speed up development of the new bike.

In a time of financial crisis, Sterilgarda Ducati unveiled a new sponsor Belray on their Ducati 1098’s. Ten Kate have also secured increased funding from Castrol and glamour calendar Hotbodies.com.

Karl Muggeridge spent two days in Parkalgar despite not having a bike.

The 2004 World Superbike champion is riding an Alstare prepared and maintained 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the Celani team, but is still waiting for the production bike to arrive.

Fonsi Nieto is rumoured to have signed a deal to ride for Alstare Suzuki on-board a semi-factory GSXR-1000 – the same spec as Karl Muggeridge.

Garry McCoy ended his first official test on-board the now factory backed BE1 Triumph in 11th place.

The Australian GP and Superbike race winner was satisfied with the result and is expected to be on a full 2009-spec Triumph 675 in time for Phillip Island.

Ten Kate Honda World Supersport men Andrew Pitt and Kenan Sofuoglu will contest the opening two rounds of the championship on-board 2008 machines despite Honda launching a new 2009 model.

The team are still flat out preparing the new bikes and remain confident in the performance of their title winning machines.

Frenchman Regis Laconi was re-united with Ducati after three years in the wilderness riding for PSG-1 Kawasaki. The 2004 runner up finished an encouraging 13th fastest first time out on the factory supported 1098.

Troy Corser gave an insight into the undoubted potential of the BMW S1000RR by finishing twelfth fastest. Team-mate Ruben Xaus had a disappointing test down in 25th. The birth of his second daughter on Tuesday is one possible reason for his uncharacteristic lack of pace.

Max Biaggi looked to finally get up to speed on day three before suffering a heavy crash on the last corner of the last lap of the last day.