Windy conditions and a track surface coated in windblown sand greeted the top World Superbike and Supersport competitors on day one of a three-day Losail test. After residue was left behind by some recent rainy weather, grip on the otherwise dry track was particularly low off line, and only 2006 spec Pirelli tyres were used on day one, although track conditions gradually improved with use.
Bayliss Fastest Despite High WindsTroy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) set the fastest time of the first day, running his big vee-twin to a 2'00.7, while his team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi set his first day best time of 2.01.3. The next quickest rider behind Bayliss was new Yamaha rider Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia) with a 2'01.1.
Haga And Toseland Share Same TimeNoriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) and James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) were joined on the 2'01.4 mark at Doha on day one, with Toseland's new team-mate for 2007, Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) setting a best time of 2.03.1. Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki) continued his pre-season build up with a best time of 2.01.6, a more than respectable time in the conditions. Nieto's team-mate Regis Laconi, recorded a 2'02.2.
Biaggi Ready To Run Once AgainMax Biaggi (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) eased his way into this teat with a best time of 2'02.8, only 0.2 seconds up on his fellow Alstare Suzuki rider, Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki). Two more days of testing remain for all participants, with hopes that the weather conditions improve, to allow the times to drop.
Supersport Quintet Play On In QatarBroc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany) and Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) held the upper hand in the early stages of the testing battle, with Parkes on a 2'05.13 and Curtain a 2'05.5. The irrepressible Gianluca Nannelli (SC Caracchi Ducati) was third fastest, on a 2'06 flat. Running the new version of the Kawasaki ZX-6RR, Fabien Foret (GIL Motorsports Kawasaki) set a 2'07.3, with Pere Riba (Gil Motorsports Kawasaki) on a 2'07.9.
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