CZECH SENSATION Jakub Smrz topped the timesheets in first qualifying for the opening round of the 2009 Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island today.
The 25-year-old Ducati rider was quickest with a time of 1:32.312. Factory Ducati man Noriyuki Haga, who replaces retiring world champion Troy Bayliss, posted the second fastest time of the session - 0.3 secs behind Smrz.
A great start by Britain's Leon Haslam on a private Stiggy Racing Honda, put the Nottinghamshire rider into third spot. The Suzuki Alstare pairing of Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama looked strong in fourth and fifth.
"For me, Phillip Island is almost the best circuit in the world. It is easy for me to make a good lap here. The bike is a good bike and 95% similar to last year's so I have been able to get on the pace very quickly. For sure, I have a lot of confidence with the tyre, even in these hot conditions," said Smrz.
WSB Times:
1. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'32.312;
2. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.569;
3. Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.623;
4. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.673;
5. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.704;
6. Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.928;
7. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.932;
8. Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.939;
9. Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.971;
10. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.991;
11. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.995;
12. Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09 1'33.202;
13. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.206;
14. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.224;
15. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'33.317;
16. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.377;
