WSB testing.

[Simmo_ZX9R]

The second day of World Superbike testing at Qatar saw returning former champion Troy Bayliss make up the most ground as he found 1.8secs, on race tyres, around the desert racetrack - making him the only rider other than reigning champion Troy Corser to break the two-minute mark.

Corser had led the Monday timesheets with a best lap of 2mins 0.44secs, but reduced that to a 1min 59.17secs today as he again set the pace. That lap time is already over two-seconds faster than his own SBK lap record, set during the 2005 season opening WSBK weekend, at the Losail circuit.

Meanwhile, Bayliss had been third overall on the day one timesheets - 0.76secs from Alstare Suzuki rider Corser - but the Ducati Xerox rider reduced the margin to just 0.23secs today after setting a best time of 1min 59.4secs.

Former MotoGP rider Troy spent day two again concentrating on tyre testing with Pirelli and suspension set-up work with Öhlins, working on new front forks and rear shocks.

The only blip in the #21's continued adjustment back to Superbike came in the form of a harmless crash on the last lap of his final run of the day.

But that was more than made up for by his strong pace, especially considering the condition of his healing left wrist, and the fact that he recorded his best lap time towards the end of the day - when the track was slower.

Of note is that Bayliss has already beaten his best Losail lap time with a MotoGP machine - the Australian missed this year's Qatar GP due to his wrist injury, but set a best time of 1min 59.551secs (good enough for ninth) with Michelin qualifying tyres on his factory Ducati Desmosedici in 2004.

"I'm really happy with today, the track was perfect and we made a lot of progress," smiled Bayliss. "The 999 still feels similar to the Ducati Superbikes I rode a few years back, although the tyres are different.
Pirelli have made a big step forward and I'm really getting used to them now. I tested a lot of fronts today and we've managed to get a lot of good information for the opening race here in February.

"Tomorrow I'll continue working with the tyres and then I'll do a long-run after lunch to finish off the test," he concluded.

Meanwhile, factory team-mate Lanzi - second fastest on Monday - concluded today's session one hour before the end after suffering the effects of yesterday's accident. Even though he was unable to get under the two-minute mark, Lanzi shaved a few tenths off his time to end day two third quickest.

"Yesterday was much better than today but all things considered I'm quite pleased with my performance today," commented Lorenzo. "I'm still in a bit of pain after yesterday's crash, in which I scraped my right arm and bruised my back and right shoulder. Today we made a major change to the bike however and I hope to improve tomorrow."

Testing at Qatar, which will host the opening round of the 2006 Corona Extra World Superbike season, concludes on Tuesday.

World Superbike test times from day two of the three day test session at the Losail circuit, Qatar.


Qatar test - day two:

1. Troy Corser AUS Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000 1min 59.17 secs
2. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Xerox 999 1min 59.4 secs
3. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA Ducati Xerox 999 2min 0.48 secs
4. Yukio Kagayama JPN Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000 2min 0.64 secs
5. Karl Muggeridge AUS Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 0.68 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 0.9 secs
7. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha Motor Italia YZF R1 2min 1.5 secs
8. Andrew Pitt AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF R1 2min 1.8 secs
9. Steve Martin AUS Foggy Petronas Racing FP1 2min 3.1 secs


Fastest day one time:

Troy Corser AUS Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000 2min 0.44 secs