Troy Corser sets the pace for World Superbikes in Misano

World Superbike’s Australian pair Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss put their knowledge of the revised Italian circuit of Misano to good use by finishing the opening free practice session in first and second position.  

In addition to the World Superbike Yamaha and Ducati factory teams, PSG-1 Kawasaki, Sterilgarda Ducati and DFX Honda also tested at the circuit, giving their riders an immediate advantage around the reversed track.

Despite Britain’s James Toseland riding at the new Misano circuit for the first time, the Honda man impressed completing 25 laps to finish in third position, less than a second behind Troy Corser’s pace setting best.

Noriyuki Haga ran at the front but slipped to fourth after suffering a crash when he lost the front pushing for a fast time on his Yamaha YZF-1.

Regis Laconi and Ruben Xaus ended the session in fifth and sixth place respectively ahead of Yukio Kagayama in seventh, who like James Toseland was riding at the track for the first time.

Slow starter Max Biaggi had a positive first session ending the opening hour in 10th place 1.5 seconds of provisional pole on his Suzuki.

Lap times compared to last month’s World Superbike test were slow, put down to the resurfacing work completed on the Misano track on Wednesday.

Feed back from the World Superbike, Supersport and Superstock riders and Pirelli tyre technicians is that the new surface is slippery but is progressively improving.

The fastest lap at the World Superbike test was set by Troy Bayliss with a 1m 35.3 over 1.3 seconds faster than this morning’s best.

Friday free practice:

1 Troy CORSER  AUS Yamaha YZF-R1 1’36.681
2 Troy BAYLISS  AUS Ducati 999 F07 1’36.986
3 James TOSELAND GBR Honda CBR1000RR 1’37.628
4 Noriyuki HAGA  JPN Yamaha YZF-R1 1’37.875
5 Regis LACONI  FRA Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’37.914
6 Ruben XAUS  ESP Ducati 999 F06 1’37.955
7 Yukio KAGAYAMA  JPN Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1’38.085
8 Roberto ROLFO  ITA Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.108
9 Michel FABRIZIO ITA Honda CBR1000RR 1’38.155
10 Max BIAGGI  ITA Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1’38.232
11 Marco BORCIANI  ITA Ducati 999 F06 1’38.393
12 Lorenzo LANZI  ITA Ducati 999 F07 1’38.541
13 Mauro SANCHINI  ITA Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’38.871
14 Fonsi NIETO  ESP Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’39.753
15 Luca CONFORTI  ITA Honda CBR1000RR 1’39.808
16 Max NEUKIRCHNER  GER Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 1’39.851
17 Shinichi NAKATOMI  JPN Yamaha YZF-R1 1’40.187
18 Luca MORELLI  ITA Honda CBR1000RR 1’40.924
19 Allesandro POLITA  ITA Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 1’41.146
20 Jakub SMRZ  CZE Ducati 999 F05 1’41.387
21 Christian ZAISER  AUT MV Agusta F4 312 R 1’41.984
22 Dean ELLISON  GBR Ducati 999RS 1’43.516