Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Carlos Checa now has a full World Superbike season under his belt and should be a serious contender in 2009.
The Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team has declared itself ready to challenge for the 2009 championship title after a two-day test at Phillip Island in Australia. The venue is the site of the first round of the World Superbike series that kicks off next weekend (February 27- March 1).
The squad’s latest recruit, British rider, Jonathan Rea, set the fastest time of the test with a lap of 1’31.8s, on a par with the existing lap record set by Troy Corser in 2007. As well as a fast lap, last season’s World Supersport runner-up from Ballymena in Northern Ireland, concentrated on race simulations in preparation for the new season ahead.
Rea’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda teammate, Carlos Checa, did not at ride at Phillip Island Sunday following a heavy crash yesterday, which resulted in a bang on the head and a sore shoulder. The Spaniard, however, who finished his rookie championship in 2008 in fourth place with two race wins, is confident of a strong start in next weekend’s opener.
Ryuichi Kiyonari, riding under the Honda Accessories banner for 2009, set a fastest time of 1’33.1s during the test and the Japanese ace is looking forward to adding to the three wins he scored in his first World Superbike championship last season.
Jonathan Rea – 1’31.8s
Well, according to some websites, I crashed today and was like seventh quickest. I’m happy to report, however, that I didn’t crash and did a 1’31.8s lap which we think was the fastest today! What matters is that we were able to find a setting that allows some tire life and the end of the race and that I’m getting to grips with the traction control. We did two full race simulations today and the bike felt great. We know what we have to do next weekend but I’m really excited at the potential we’ve shown here.
Carlos Checa – 1’33.3s
My shoulder is still a little sore and my head, well, that’s always had some problems! No, I am really OK and will be fit for next weekend’s first round after some rest this week. I was able to complete a good number of laps to try some new things, but we were hoping to try a new rear tire, which unfortunately we couldn’t do. With the weather in Portimao and the crash here, it hasn’t been the perfect winter testing, but I like Phillip Island and I’m looking forward to racing again next weekend.
Ryuichi Kiyonari – 1’33.1s
I had some problems finding a good set-up on the first day of this test but we made some changes for the second day and definitely made some progress. It was not so much to make one fast lap, but we were happy with consistency of laps during a race simulation. I had a small crash today but it was not such a problem. Of course, there is still some work to do but I am really looking forward to the start of the season next week.
Ronald ten Kate – Team Manager
We’ve had quite a good test here, although it was disappointing for Carlos. He took a big knock to the head and his shoulder was sore but he has had a thorough check-up and will be good to go next week. It’s a shame because he was one of the fastest riders at that point of the weekend, so I’m sure he will be on the pace when it matters. We’ve made some progress on the second day with Kiyo-san and he is definitely fast on race tyres. Jonathan also found things a little difficult on the first day, but some overnight changes put the bike in the right place and he put in some quick times. There are still some issues on race distances but, all in all, it’s been a positive test and we’re in good shape for next week and the season ahead.
Courtesy of Yamaha Racing
The Yamaha World Superbike team has enjoyed a successful final pre-season test at the Phillip Island circuit
Yamaha harvested the talent of the United States' AMA and Britain's BSB racing leagues for its new crop of riders, Ben Spies and Tom Sykes.
in Australia. The two day test was the final shakedown for the 2009 YZF-R1 in advance of the season opening race this coming weekend and was a valuable opportunity for both riders to get to know the track.
Three-time AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies ended the final day of testing with a quick 1.32”36 lap time, a mere 0.2 of a second off fastest rider Michele Fabrizio. Fellow Yamaha World Superbike team rider Tom Sykes had a crash on the start of the second day of testing and spent a large part of the day resting before going back out again for a final run. He too stepped up the pace and finished the day with an overall time of 1.32”10, a great result considering he missed most of the day’s track time after his fall.
Ben Spies
Yamaha World Superbike team – 1.32”36 (160 laps)
“It was a good test for me. We worked on a lot of race stuff, we had some tires to test and get through for Pirelli then we got up to speed on the track and did some longer stints getting the bike to work on race setup. We were looking good for race pace, we did a race simulation and it felt really good. For sure we only got two days testing on the track and the whole race weekend is going to add some adrenaline. I’m extremely happy with the bike and the team is working really well so I can’t wait to get started.”
Tom Sykes
Yamaha World Superbike team – 1.32”10 (100 laps)
“I was more than happy with day one, having never seen Phillip Island before, I went out and pulled a 1.33”2, which wasn’t too bad considering it’s a new track for me. We worked on some minor adjustments and worked on getting a good base setting for the bike. I’m more than confident in its capabilities and set up, we’re pretty much on the times. Going into day two I knew I could improve, but unfortunately on my first run, getting up to speed I had a fall. I wasn’t even busting myself and not sure how it happened, got on it a bit too soon at the exit of turn 2, ran wide by two feet and where the tarmac ripples slightly the rear end low sided, I caught it then high sided the other way! Luckily I have no serious injuries so will be fighting fit and raring to go at the weekend. I went back out again at the end of the second day and found my pace again easily so am still confident to fight for the podium.”
Massimo Meregalli
Yamaha World Superbike Team manager
“The test went well with the exception of Tom’s crash. We didn’t have so many problems and it was very important that the guys learned the circuit as it’s a new one for them. By the end of the first day they were making good laps with great pace. By the end of the last day, Ben was up with the fastest riders, Fabrizio and Haga. Tom had a big crash in the morning of the second day, the doctor said to stay in the clinic until the afternoon to rest. In the late afternoon he came back out for one and a half hours time on track, it was impressive as with his last lap he made his fastest lap of the test.
In the end the test was also a big running in for us as the bike is still new, we tried to find the best set up, and tried some different tires. We’ve answered all our questions and feel really good about going into the first race weekend in a few days time, we’re ready to fight!”
Courtesy of Ducati Corse
The Ducati Xerox Team made good progress during the second and final day of testing at the Island.
Michel Fabrizio put in solid laps and posted competitive times at the Phillip Island test.
Both Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio spent their time testing various tyres and set-ups and both completed long runs on their Ducati 1198 machines under clear skies. The lap times of both Noriyuki, in the morning session, and Michel, in the afternoon, were faster than those recorded on Day 1, with Michel recording the fastest time of the day (1m32.1s). It was unfortunate that Noriyuki experienced another fall, the photocopy of yesterday’s fall, but he was unhurt and was able to continue to work until the end of the day’s session.
The Ducati Xerox Team now takes a few days off and will return to the track Friday for the first day of the Round 1 race weekend. Noriyuki, Michel and their teams are confident that they are ready to confront the first challenging round of the 2009 season.
Michel Fabrizio
“We have worked mainly on getting up to race pace today and it’s gone pretty well. In the late morning I completed a long-run with lap times that were similar to those I recorded during last year’s race here so I was pleased with that. It’s all looking good for next weekend and I’m feeling quietly confident.
Noriyuki Haga
“I’d say overall that it has been a productive day. We have once again tested many different things and I feel I’m starting to know the bike better but we still have work to do in order to test all the configurations that the bike permits. I rode race distance which was a useful exercise and I was quite happy with the wear of the tyres, especially the front. On Friday we want to test some different suspension settings as I am not yet totally comfortable with the front. I’m sorry that I crashed again in exactly the same way and place as yesterday but accidents happen and overall I’m happy with the work we’ve done here.”
TIMES - Day 2
Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.1s
Haga (Ducati Xerox) 1m32.3s
Courtesy of Alstare Suzuki
After two days of intense testing at Phillip Island in Australia, Team Suzuki Alstare riders Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama are now ready for the opening round of the World Superbike Championship there next weekend.
Alstare Suzuki's Max Neukirchner had a breakout year in '08 and heads into the 2009 World Superbike season with hopes of bringing home the title.
Conditions remained dry throughout and the team were able to try out a lot of different things and find good set-ups for both riders.
Neukirchner was the quickest rider on day one, but ended fifth fastest overall with Kagayama just behind him.
Max Neukirchner
(190 laps, best lap 1:32.5):
"My general feeling is that these two days went well and we've been able to find a good set-up for the bike for next weekend. We had some rear grip problems yesterday but managed to solve the problem today and make further progress. I think we are in a good way with the bike and feel positive about next weekend's race. Phillip Island is a very good track for testing because of its variety: It has fast corners, slow corners and changes of elevation. Everything we've done in these two days is going to be very helpful next week."
Yukio Kagayama
(171 laps, best lap 1:32.8):
"I'm happy, because I did not crash and many other riders did! I rode quite safely during these days because I knew there was a lot of work to do and I did not want to make any mistakes so close to the first race. We tried many things and many different set-ups and the biggest problem for me was the variations in tire level performance. But we found a good set-up for next week's race and I hope I can start the season with a good result and keep up a good level throughout the year."
