WSBK: 2009 Monza Test Results

Motorcycle.com Staff
by Motorcycle.com Staff

WSBK: 2009 Monza test results

Spies the fastest once again
By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Apr. 13, 2009
Yamaha rider Ben Spies set the pace in two days of World Superbike testing at Italys Monza Circuit, April 9-10.

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.

Ben Spies continues to impress in test sessions but trails Noriyuki Haga by 40 points.
The test was good, it was really good to come back and reset myself after Valencia as I was feeling really frustrated, says Spies. It was good to take a couple of days off, then come back fresh. We found a really good pace, and I loved Monza which is another new track for me. We also did half a race simulation, and got some really competitive times. I think weve got a good setup for the bike for when we come back here. Hopefully well show up with a couple more tricks on the bike as well.

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.RiderMotorcycleBest lap
1stBen SpiesYamaha YZF-R11:45.3
2ndNoriyuki HagaDucati 1098R1:45.5
3rdMichel FabrizioDucati 1098R1:45.6
4thMax NeukirchnerSuzuki GSX-R10001:45.8
5thTom SykesYamaha YZF-R11:45.8
6thMax NeukirchnerSuzuki GSX-R10001:46.0
7thYukio KagayamaDucati 1098R1:46.3
8thRuben XausBMW S1000RR1:46.8
9thTroy CorserBMW S1000RR1:47.1
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Motorcycle.com Staff
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