Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) was the fastest Yamaha rider on show on the first day at Monza, posting a time of 1'47.074 to go 12th fastest overall. He was just over one second from provisional pole, at this long 5.793km circuit. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) was only three places behind Haga on day one, looking for greater top speed and general set-up to get back into contention at the fastest track on the WSB calendar. Qualifying was conducted in warm and sunny conditions, a great contrast with the deluge of rain that cursed the team's attempt to test at their home circuit of Monza last month.
The World Superbike Championship moves from the classic circuit of Assen to an even more historic one - Monza - for the fifth round of the series this Sunday, May 11th. Built in 1922, as first a speed bowl and then a fast parkland circuit, Monza is the oldest permanent race circuit in Europe still in regular use. A combination of flat out straights, similarly quick corners, a variety of chicanes and intense braking areas make Monza a unique stop-off on the WSB trail, especially as its Italian parkland cousin Imola is no longer on the calendar.