Superbike: Phillip Island test, Checa closes the three days with the best time

Carlos Checa ended the three days of collective Superbike testing on the Phillip Island circuit in the lead. The reigning Ducati champion, despite the 6gk more imposed by the regulations, managed to lap in 1'31”8, just one tenth ahead of the surprise of these tests, Tom Sykes' Kawasaki, which also set the best time on the first day.

Leon Haslam's BMW also did well, lapping in 1'32”2, although this time, unlike those set by Checa and Sykes, came on qualifying tyres. Max Biaggi wasn't bad either on a circuit traditionally difficult for Aprilia. The Roman driver in fact closed the tests with the fourth fastest time overall (1'32”3), a time set with race tyres.

Biaggi preceded the Kawasaki of Lascorz, the Ducati of Smrz and his teammate Eugene Laverty (who fell disastrously at the end of the test and immediately went to the United Kingdom to repair the fracture of the third metacarpal to try to be ready for the first round of the world championship scheduled for the end of the month also at Phillip Island), trailing the five-time world champion by three tenths. Eighth time with qualifying tire for Michel Fabrizio, riding the Team Motorrad Italia BMW. Closing out the Top Ten are Berger and Melandri who, unlike his team-mate Haslam, hasn't used a tire for some time.

Phillip Island Superbike Test – The combined times of the three days

1. Checa (Spa-Ducati) 1'31”8;
2. Sykes (GB-Kawasaki) 1'31”9;
3. Haslam (GB-Bmw) 1'32”2 Q;
4. Biaggi (Ita-Aprilia) 1'32”3;
5. Lascorz (Spa-Kawasaki) 1'32”4;
6. Smrz (CZE-Ducati) 1'32”4;
7. Laverty (Irl-Aprilia) 1'32”5;
8. Fabrizio (Ita-Bmw) 1'32”6 Q;
9. Berger (Fra-Ducati) 1'32”9;
10. Melandri (Ita-Bmw) 1'33”0;
11. Camier (GB-Suzuki) 1'33”1;
12. Giugliano (Ita-Ducati) 1'33”5;
13. Guintoli (Fra-Ducati) 1'33”5;
14. Badovini (Ita-Bmw) 1'33”8;
15. Johnson (Aus-Bmw) 1'34”1;
16. Zanetti (Ita-Ducati) 1'34”7;
17. Salom (Spa-Kawasaki) 1'34”9.