Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox Team) once more ripped into his testing task with gusto at Valencia, setting a quicker time than Neil Hodgson’s previous recorded track best on a SBK™ race weekend, with a 1’34.3 on qualifying tyres. He made an even more impressive 1’34.4 on 2006 versions of Pirelli’s race spec tyres. Bayliss worked through some additional tyre options before finishing the test early and satisfied with his latest outing.

James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) was second fastest rider on qualifying tyres, with Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox Team) the second fastest when using race rubber. Each of the top Honda and Ducati riders had access to 2006-spec tyres, including Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda). Fourth fastest overall Muggeridge equalled Toseland’s best on race tyres, but was marginally behind with a qualifying set-up.

Max Neukirchner (Team Pedercini Ducati) and Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France IPONE) shared a best time of 1’36.4 on the final day, with neither able to use 2006 specification tyres. Neukirchner, a new inductee to the Pedercini squad, enjoyed his time on the Ducati, making the most of its characteristics in a short space of time. Abe tested ignition and electronics packages on day two, stopping him making great improvements to his suspension set-up.

Ivan Clementi (Pedercini Ducati) and Roberto Rolfo (Caracchi Ducati) also shared a best time; 1’36.6. Marco Borciani (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) was only a tenth behind, but the biggest improvement over day one came from new Suzuki rider, Fabien Foret (Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) who posted a 1’36.9.

PIRELLI TIMES (R: Race tyres - Q: Qualifying tyres)
Bayliss (Ducati Xerox Team) 1.34''4 R 1.34''3 Q
Lanzi (Ducati Xerox Team) 1.35''6 R 1.35''4 Q
Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.36''2 R 1.35''3 Q
Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.36''2 R 1.35''5 Q
Nuekircnker (Team Pedercini Ducati 1.36''4 R
Abe (Yamaha Motor France IPONE) 1’36.4 R
Clementi (Pedercini Ducati 1.36''6 R
Rolfo (Caracchi SC Ducati) 1.36''6 R
Borciani (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) 1.36''7 R
Foret (Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1.36''9 R
Pedercini Pedercini Ducati 1.37''2 R

Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) once more proved to be transcendent, setting a 1’37.1 lap when going for a single quick time, and a host of fast laps with a full race set-up in place. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Megabike Honda) as again his closest challenger, with a 1’37.5 also set on 2006 tyres.

Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) came on in leaps and bounds in what was his first full test for his new team, taking a 1’38.2 time, and impressing all who watched him. Only these three riders used 2006 spec tyres.
French rookie Yoann Tiberio (Megabike Honda) made a 1’39 flat, while Josh Brookes (Ducati SC Caracchi) did a 1’39.5.

SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® TIMES
Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.37''1
Fuji (Megabike Honda) 1.37''5
Soufouglou (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.38''2
Tiberio (Megabike Honda) 1.39''0
Brookes (Ducati SC Caracchi)1.39''5
Nedog (Ducati SC Caracchi) 1.41''2

Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) suffered a late crash in the last of three days at Losail, but nonetheless secured the fastest time of the test with a 2’00.5. His fall resulted in no significant injury, leaving him in good shape for the start of the season at Qatar on February 25th.

All riders in Qatar were on 2005 Pirelli spec tyres, with more improvements expected when the latest 2006 versions are made available.
Second fastest on day two was Haga’s team-mate Andrew Pitt, with Superbike rookie Michel Fabrizio (D.F.X. Treme Honda) heading off his team-mate Pierfancesco Chili.

1. Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) 2'00"5
2. Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) 2'00"8
3. Fabrizio (D.F.X. Treme Honda) 2'01"3
4. Chili (D.F.X. Treme Honda ) 2'01"4

Josh Brookes Report

Joshua Brookes, the 2005 Australian Superbike and Supersport Champion completed his second test in Valencia with Team SC Caracchi Ducati today in preparation for the World Supersport Championship with great progress being made. His best time of 1:39:05 was a result of constant refinement of the bike and a solid working relationship with the Team that has developed over the last month.

“This test has been fantastic. The Ducati 749RS is a great bike. Getting off an inline 4 to a V Twin has been much easier than I thought. It’s got great power and considering it’s only my second proper test, a good feeling. The best thing is the Team is professional and totally committed to helping me in my first season of World Supersport. I have been busting my butt training in the freezing cold, riding hundreds of kilometers a week on my road bicycle and mountain bike, and it’s sometimes pretty tough, especially in a country where I don’t speak the language. But it all makes sense when I get here and get out on the track. We are now working closely with Ohlins to create a suspension set up that will suit my style perfectly, so I reckon when we get that nailed, the times will drop much further. I followed Fujiwara for a few laps whilst he was a little quicker; I felt that the pace was well within our reach, especially when we get things perfect. I can’t wait for the season to begin. “

Brookes has returned to Bologna and will spend the time between now and the first race in Qatar working with the Team and training.