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Phillip Island: Yukio Kagayama fastest at World Superbike tests

In SBK

11 gennaio 2008

Phillip Island: Yukio Kagayama fastest at World Superbike tests

Team Alstare Suzuki's Yukio Kagayama ended the three-day tests at Phillip Island with the fastest lap on his new GSX-R1000, a tenth of a second ahead of Troy Bayl.

He posted an unofficial lap time of 1:32.1 in the morning session and, as the temperature rose steadily, it was clear that it would take something special to beat it: Bayliss looked the most likely but crashed just after midday and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone.

Kagayama's team mate Fonsi Nieto ended joint third quickest, happy with the progress made during the three days, but Max Neukirchner was deemed not fit enough to take part and was forced to watch from the sidelines.

Yukio Kagayama - 96 laps. Best lap 1:32.10:

"I am a happy man today, not just because I set the fastest lap here, but because we have done a lot of very good work during these three days. The mechanics have worked very hard - last night they finished after midnight!) - and that allowed me to put in a lot of laps and give them a lot of information and data. It was very hot today so we had to make a lot of adjustments to the settings. All in all this test has been very productive and a good way to start 2008."

Fonsi Nieto - 74 laps. Best lap 1:32.3:

"Today was much better than yesterday and I think I rode very well, especially in the morning. In the afternoon it was very hot and that caused us all some problems. But today I found a good rhythm with my bike and that makes me very happy. I am now much more comfortable on the bike and that is making it easier to ride. The engine feels surprisingly strong and I'm beginning to enjoy riding it. I think I may have to change my riding style from last year, but I know it will reap rewards. Now I'm already looking forward to my next time out on the bike."