WSBK: 2009 Monza Test Results
WSBK: 2009 Monza test results
As he has done on each circuit so far in his WSBK career, Spies has placed near the top of the timesheets during practices, qualifying and test sessions, often on tracks he had never ridden on before.
At Monza, Spies recorded at least ten consecutive laps on race tires with times faster than the top lap in the 2008 races, including the tests top time of 1:45.3.
Following Spies on the timesheet were series leader Noriyuki Haga and his Ducati Xerox teammate Michel Fabrizio. Suzuki Alstares Max Neukirchner, who earned his first WSBK win at Monza in 2008, had the next fastest time while Spies teammate Tom Sykes was the only other rider to run under the 1:46 mark.
Spies results come within a week after a frustrating weekend at Spains Valencia Circuit that saw the American rider receive his first Did Not Finish result.
Spies trails the veteran Haga by 40 points in the standings. Haga is going through the best stretch of his WSBK career with three wins and three runner-up finishes in six races.
We tried yet another suspension setting but didnt really find any improvement over what we had tried until now, says Haga who won one of the two races at Monza in 2008. However I am happy with my times, happy with my bike and happy with the tires we have tried during these two days.
BMWs Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser also took part in the test and ran well over a second off the leaders. Corsers test was cut short due to a crash.
The 2009 WSBK season resumes April 26 at the Assen TT in the Netherlands before returning to the Monza Circuit May 5.
2009 World Superbike Championship Monza test top times | |||
Pos. | Rider | Motorcycle | Best lap |
1st | Ben Spies | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:45.3 |
2nd | Noriyuki Haga | Ducati 1098R | 1:45.5 |
3rd | Michel Fabrizio | Ducati 1098R | 1:45.6 |
4th | Max Neukirchner | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 1:45.8 |
5th | Tom Sykes | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1:45.8 |
6th | Max Neukirchner | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 1:46.0 |
7th | Yukio Kagayama | Ducati 1098R | 1:46.3 |
8th | Ruben Xaus | BMW S1000RR | 1:46.8 |
9th | Troy Corser | BMW S1000RR | 1:47.1 |
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