Checa from Rea in first free practice

Carlos Checa topped the time sheets once again at Phillip Island in the opening free practice session today. The Althea Ducati rider was the only man to lap in the 1m 31s and just like in testing earlier this week also showed impressive race pace and consistency.

Castrol Honda man Jonathan Rea defied the odds to set the second fastest time despite suffering the effects of his heavy 130mph crash on Tuesday.

Spaniard Joan Lascorz made an instant impact on his factory Kawasaki in third with Leon Haslam pushing hard at the end of the session to jump up to fourth spot.

First qualifying gets underway at 15.30 local time.

1 7 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R 1’31.647
2 4 J. REA GBR Castrol Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’32.272
3 17 J. LASCORZ ESP Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’32.352
4 91 L. HASLAM GBR BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’32.360
5 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati 1098R 1’32.398
6 1 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’32.428
7 96 J. SMRZ CZE Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati 1098R 1’32.444
8 33 M. MELANDRI ITA Yamaha World Superbike Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’32.507
9 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’32.611
10 58 E. LAVERTY IRL Yamaha World Superbike Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’32.656
11 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’33.033
12 41 N. HAGA JPN PATA Racing Team Aprilia Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’33.113
13 111 R. XAUS ESP Castrol Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’33.194
14 86 A. BADOVINI ITA BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team BMW S1000 RR 1’33.229
15 52 J. TOSELAND GBR BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team BMW S1000 RR 1’33.441
16 12 J. WATERS AUS Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’33.446
17 121 M. BERGER FRA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R 1’33.474
18 2 L. CAMIER GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’33.709
19 8 M. AITCHISON AUS Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’34.014
20 44 R. ROLFO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’34.095
21 67 B. STARING AUS Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’34.391
22 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’34.913