Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama used today to learn the new Assen layout and try out different gearing and tyres on their GSX-R1000s in readiness for Sunday’s ninth-round World Superbike Championship round.

The whole northern loop section has been completely revised and now features a series of slow turns before rejoining the circuit after the Strubben.

At the end of the first qualifying, Kagayama finished with the seventh fastest time and Corser 12th. Series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati) posted the day’s quickest time with a lap of 1:39.336, with his team mate Lorenzo Lanzi second. Third is Michel Fabrizio (Honda), with James Toseland fourth.

New Alstare Engineering Corona Extra rider Max Neukirchner had to learn both the new Assen circuit and his GSX-R1000 K6. Most of the time was spent putting in the laps and getting to grips with the bike and, despite a small tumble, he finished the day optimistic about his chances of improvement tomorrow.

Yukio Kagayama - 7th, 1:40.567:
“Although seventh is not particularly a good position I am happy because I enjoyed myself on the bike today. Also, I think I am one of the few riders who actually likes the new first section! I am even using the same gear ratios! I compared the position of my split times there this year compared to last year and I am happy because I am higher up this time. I had no big problems today and spent most of the time learning the new track layout and trying different tyres. At the moment I am happy with everything but I need to finish in the top four tomorrow and make sure of a good grid place.”

Troy Corser - 12th, 1:40.837:
“No dramas, no worries today - just cruising, learning the track and trying out different gearing. I don’t like the new section at all and feel the flowing nature of the track has been spoilt. But I understand why they’ve done what they’ve done and it’s up to all of us to just get on with it. I had a few little problems with the brakes but nothing too serious. I'm not worried about being 12th today as it’s what happens tomorrow that counts.”

Max Neukirchner - 23rd, 1:42.589:
“Today was quite a hard day for me because there is so much to learn and not so much time to learn it. I had a little crash when I high-sided exiting Ruskenhoek but I didn’t do any damage to myself. At the moment I am not 100% fit, but I’m getting stronger each day. It’s a bit early for me to say much about the Alstare Engineering bike but I feel it has a lot of potential. My aim tomorrow is to continue my steep learning curve and qualify for Superpole. We’ll see what happens after that.”