First blood to Noriyuki Haga at World Superbikes test in Brno

Noriyuki Haga drew first blood in day one of the official Pirelli World Superbike test in Brno with a seriously impressive lap time just half a second off his last year’s pole time.

Despite cold temperatures and windy conditions Noriyuki Haga’s best lap was a full 1.5 seconds faster than he managed during the 2006 race.

The Yamaha man has a history of being fast at the Czech Republic circuit having set pole there in 2006 and won from 18th on the grid in 2005. 

Second spot went to Ducati’s Troy Bayliss who is on a role having won the last three World Superbike races and ended day one 0.5 seconds behind Noriyuki Haga.

Britian’s James Toseland spent the day evaluating a new version of the Honda advanced electronics but still managed to go third quickest all be it 0.9 seconds behind Noriyuki Haga.

Yukio Kagayama took fourth and showed that he is getting back to his best following two big crashed earlier in the season.

His 2m 02.2 was 0.7 seconds faster than his Suzuki team-mate Max Biaggi who ended up seventh.

Double world champion Troy Corser (Yamaha) took fifth, but was a full 1.3 seconds off Noriyuki Haga’s best with Lorenzo Lanzi 0.2 seconds further back in sixth.

Day one Brno test times:

Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha 2’01’’0

Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati 2’01’’5

James Toseland GBR Honda 2’01’’9

Yukio Kagayama JPN Suzuki 2’02’’2

Troy Corser AUS Yamaha 2’02’’3

Lorenzo Lanzi ITA Ducati 2’02’’5

Max Biaggi ITA Suzuki 2’02’’9

Regis Laconi FRA Kawasaki 2’03’’2

Roby Rolfo ITA Honda 2’03’’5

Fonsi Nieto ESP Kawasaki 2’03’’7

In Supersport Australian Broc Parkes set the pace with a best lap just 0.1 seconds faster than championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu.

Sebastian Charpentier claimed the joint third fastest time with an impressive Vesa Kallio onboard the Hoegee Suzuki.

Steve Martin returned to the factory Yamaha squad following Anthony West’s departure to end day one in fourth less than a second off Broc Parkes.

Broc Parkes AUS Yamaha 2’05’’2

Kenan Sofuoglu TUR Honda 2’05’’3

Vesa Kallio FIN Suzuki 2’06’’0

Sebastien Charpentier FRA Honda 2’06’’0

Steve Martin AUS Kawasaki 2’06’’1

Fabien Foret FRA Kawasaki 2’06’’2

Barry Veneman NED Suzuki 2’06’’4

Pere Riba ESP Kawasaki 2’06’’7