WSB Test Imola: Checa leads the way

Carlos Checa secured the fastest time in the first 2 hour 5 minute session on day one of the revised Imola circuit in Italy. Onboard the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Checa set a best time of 1m 50.342s in the final minutes of the session held in 33 degree temperatures. Checa arrived at the track, which was last used in WSB in 2006 with previous knowledge thanks to riding the circuit from 1996 to 1999 during his career in 500GP’s.

Like his team-mate Jonathan Rea, who finished sixth, Checa and the team have the objective of establishing a reliable base setting for their new Ohlins Andreani suspension following their disappointing results at Donington Park last month.

In-form Italian Michel Fabrizio powered his Xerox Ducati to second position ahead of Britain’s Shane Byrne onboard his Sterilgarda Ducati in third.

Ben Spies led the standings early on but slipped to fourth at the finish ahead of Alstare Suzuki man Yukio Kagayama.

Leon Haslam claimed seventh with Tom Sykes in 12th spot.

The WSB men will get a further 2hour 20 minute session this afternoon where temperatures are expected to climb to a forecasted 36 degrees.

1 7 C. CHECA ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.342 27 161,041 261,5
2 84 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R 1’50.686 0.344 0.344 21 160,541 261,5
3 67 S. BYRNE GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1’50.813 0.471 0.127 27 160,357 266,7
4 19 B. SPIES USA Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’51.005 0.663 0.192 31 160,079 274,1
5 71 Y. KAGAYAMA JPN Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’51.142 0.800 0.137 24 159,882 270,7
6 65 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.166 0.824 0.024 38 159,847 260,9
7 91 L. HASLAM GBR Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.379 1.037 0.213 30 159,542 267,3
8 57 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’51.389 1.047 0.010 25 159,527 262,8
9 11 T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’51.746 1.404 0.357 27 159,018 266,0
10 14 M. LAGRIVE FRA Honda Althea Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’51.983 1.641 0.237 27 158,681 264,1
11 76 M.NEUKIRCHNER GER Suzuki Alstare BRUX Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’52.021 1.679 0.038 30 158,627 265,4
12 66 T. SYKES GBR Yamaha WSB Yamaha YZF R1 1’52.084 1.742 0.063 24 158,538 259,0
13 3 M.BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’52.125 1.783 0.041 22 158,480 243,8
14 121 J. HOPKINS USA Stiggy Racing Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1’52.193 1.851 0.068 31 158,384 262,8
15 56 S. NAKANO JPN Aprilia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’52.578 2.236 0.385 23 157,843 265,4
16 111 R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR 1’52.714 2.372 0.136 23 157,652 260,2
17 53 A. POLITA ITA Celani Race Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1’52.729 2.387 0.015 27 157,631 258,4
18 23 B. PARKES AUS Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’52.743 2.401 0.014 26 157,612 245,5
19 9 R. KIYONARI JPN Ten Kate Honda Racing Honda CBR1000RR 1’52.905 2.563 0.162 29 157,385 255,9
20 10 F. NIETO ESP DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1’53.281 2.939 0.376 27 156,863 248,3
21 100 M. TAMADA JPN Kawasaki World Superbike R.T. Kawasaki ZX 10R 1’54.040 3.698 0.759 29 155,819 250,6
22 77 V. IANNUZZO ITA Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR 1’54.514