Haslam quickly adapts to his new
Suzuki ride as he tops the first day
of testing.
Leon Haslam gave the rest of the WSB paddock something to think about after topping the timesheets in day one of testing at Valencia. The 26 year old is clearly loving life in the factory
Suzuki team after racing for the privateer Stiggy Honda squad in 2010. Along with new teammate Sylvan Guintoli, Haslam has benefited from the most testing, having completed a successful three-day test at Phillip Island last month.
At the Australia test Suzuki made the decision to drop Showa suspension in favor of factory Ohlins, a decision that has been vindicated by Haslam’s impressive testing results.
He said: “The times are good but we need to keep pushing. I’ve been looking at the race times Haga did here in the race with the old tyres and we’ve still got some way to go. I’ll be faster tomorrow.”
Fast start for Biaggi
After a fourth place finish in points last season on his new Aprilia ride, Biaggi wastes no time showing he's ready for 2010.
Historically a slow starter,
Max Biaggi backed up his credentials as a genuine WSB title contender with a strong opening day of testing. The factory
Aprilia man finished the day second fastest, but revealed he hasn’t even been looking at the lap times.
“Compared to the race here earlier in the year the bike is much better and the times are coming much easier. We are working on a few things but right now I don’t feel on the limit. I have the new Ohlins forks for this test so we have to understand how they work and the sensation they give.
“Apart from that it is only small things we have to test so two days here is enough for us.”
Crashtastic
Toseland appears to be at home on his Yamaha posting the third fastest time on day one despite taking a small spill exiting the second right hand corner.
Despite it only being an unofficial winter test there were three crashes of note on the opening day. World Supersport front runner Kenan Sofuoglu needed just half a lap before he suffered a huge high side exiting the second right hand corner of the lap. The Turkish rider landed heavily and sustained a badly cut middle finger, which required three stitches at Valencia hospital.
Former Tech3
MotoGP man and new
Yamaha Superbike signing James Toseland, crashed his R1 when he lost the front exiting the same corner, but escaped unhurt.
Jonathan Rea suffered the smallest crash of the day when he lost the front at slow speed at turn two after running wide. He was able to remount and ride back to the pits.
Moto2 benefit from track time
It wasn’t just WSB and WSS riders on track in Valencia, four Moto2 teams made the trip to Valencia to get some much needed testing – Tech3, Aspar, Pons Racing and Sutter Racing.
Unofficial Day One WSB lap times:
Leon Haslam (Suzuki) 1'34.5
Max Biaggi (Aprilia) 1' 34.7
James Toseland (Yamaha) 1' 34.8
Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1' 34.9
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1' 35.1
Leon Camier (Aprilia) 1' 35.8
Max Neukirchner (Honda) 1' 35.8
Sylvan Guintoli (Suzuki) 1' 35.8
Alex Hofmann (Aprilia) 1' 35.8
Unofficial Day One WSS lap times:
Kenan Sofuoglu (Honda) 1' 36.8
Michel Pirro (Honda) 1' 37.1
