WSB top teams test

World Superbike’s big guns head to Qatar this week for the second official Pirelli top teams test of the year.

The Losail circuit in Qatar hosts the first round of the series in just 68 days time – and all the teams know that a strong test will be vital if they want to get their season off to a winning start.

At the first test of the year last month in Valencia, new boy Max Biaggi stunned the WSB regulars by posting a blistering lap time late in the final day to top the time sheets.

Given Biaggi was riding a hybrid 2006/2007 bike, his lap time took everyone by surprise.

But this time out the regulars will be looking for revenge, determined to let Biaggi know that WSB won’t be easy. MCN spoke to the top teams to find out their objectives for the three-day test…

DUCATI

While their rivals have new bikes and plenty to test, the Ducati duo of Bayliss and Lanzi continue to campaign their trusted and virtually unchanged 999s. Throughout 2006 Bayliss proved that there is nothing wrong with the Ducati package – but they’re going to have to work hard to improve the bike any more.

Most of the time will be spent working with Pirelli on tyre development as they have a proven base package to work with. They will also be testing different chassis and geometry changes in the search of improved stability and tyre life.

HONDA

The Honda CBR1000RR may be staying the same for 2007, but James Toseland and new Ten Kate team-mate Roberto Rolfo will still have a lot to try. The team have produced a very competitive race bike but have been behind their rivals in developing the advanced electronics on the bike, which they’ve now rectified.

Last time out at the Valencia test, Toseland got to try a new Kenny Roberts swingarm along with new software for the PI Advanced Electronics. With positive results at Valencia, the team need to find out if the changes work at the much faster Qatar circuit.

YAMAHA

For 2007 Yamaha have an all-new R1 featuring four-valve heads as opposed to their previous trademark five-valve head, along with fly-by-wire electronics. The Valencia test was the first shakedown of the bike, with many parts completely standard.

Since their first outing, the engine has been developed extensively along with an all-new exhaust system from Akrapovic and additional chassis parts. Although they are running the same Magneti Marelli electronics as they did on the ’06 bike, much of their time will be spent fine-tuning the fly-by-wire throttle.

SUZUKI

Both Biaggi and Alstare team-mate Yukio Kagayama will get one 2007 bike each for the three-day Qatar test and the team have been flat-out developing the new Suzukis to suit their riders.

Since the Valencia test, Biaggi and his crew chief Giacomo Guidotti have spent five days in Japan discussing possible areas of improvement for the new GSX-R1000. When the team arrive in Qatar, they are expecting a crate from Japan which will include a different exhaust system, engine components and an upgrade to the Mitsubishi electronics system.

KAWASAKI

No new ZX-10 for 2007, but the PSG-1 team will get financial and technical support from Kawasaki Japan to speed up development. After dropping Britain’s Chris Walker, it’s now a two-man team – plus full-time test rider Mauro Sanchini.

The biggest problem the team experienced during 2006 was getting the bike set up for each individual track. For 2007 they’ve got the latest generation Ohlins suspension with a full-time technician plus improved PI advanced electronics and a new spec motor from Akira to test in Qatar.