WSBK Report
A two-day World Superbike test at Misano kicked off with some of the four factory teams present making preparations for the Misano race on June 27th, others tested parts to use in the second part of the season. Aprilia, BMW, Ducati and Yamaha had some of their top riders on track for this test.
In good weather conditions and with soft tires fitted, Michel Fabrizio took his Ducati Xerox machine to a first day best time of 1’35.9. By comparison, the official track best lap of 1′ 35.435 was set in 2009 by Jakub Smrz. "We have fined tuned the settings used to Assen and Michel was very happy with the work we carried out," said Ernesto Marinelli from Ducati Xerox. "A fever of 38° held back Nori, but he has the potential to be that fast as well."
The Yamaha Sterilgarda team was happy about the times put in by its pairing of riders, according to team-boss Maio Meregalli, "The track was very fast, with an ideal temperature and James used the set up from Valencia, testing an evolution on the electronics package. We have worked on the general set up for Cal." Toseland set 69 laps, Crutchlow 87.
"We only concentrated during these tests on some particular details," said Davide Tardozzi from BMW, "without worrying about lap times. Troy Corser often turned 1’37" laps, a best time of 1’36.5. We tried details in the engine, an evolution of the electronics and something new in the clutch." Corser did 45 laps and was assisted by the official BMW development team.
"We have tried many things," said Francesco Guidotti from Aprilia Alitalia. "As well as looking for a specific race setting for the Misano race, when the temperature went up, we tried a long run with a new specification of engine." Besides Max Biaggi, who did 97 laps, and Leon Camier (95) the Aprilia team also had official test rider Alex Hoffman at the Misano test.
World SBK Test – Unofficial Lap Times with no transponders: 1. Fabrizio (Ducati) 1’35"9; 2. Toseland (Yamaha) 1’36"0; 3. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1’36"3; 4. Corser (BMW) 1’36"5; 5. Biaggi (Aprilia) 1’36"5; 6. Camier (Aprilia) 1’36"9
