WSBK Qatar

[Corny]

Haven't seen a topic of this so I'll start it :D
Times of FP1:

1 Toseland J. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.029 17
2 Kagayama Y. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 2'00.319 20
3 Haga N. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'00.377 17
4 Bayliss T. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 2'00.396 18
5 Biaggi M. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 2'00.503 20
6 Corser T. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'00.545 18
7 Lanzi L. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 2'00.656 15
8 Xaus R. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 2'01.597 17
9 Fabrizio M. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 2'01.633 15
10 Nieto F. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'01.671 7
11 Laconi R. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'02.142 13
12 Muggeridge K. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'02.268 13
13 Rolfo R. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'02.320 19
14 Neukirchner M. Suzuki Germany. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'02.540 21
15 Brookes J. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'02.609 18
16 Martin S. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 2'03.003 16
17 Smrz J. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 999 F05 2'04.042 20
18 Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'04.541 20
19 Zaiser C. LBR Racing Team. MV Agusta F4 1000R 2'04.717 16
20 Polita A. Celani Team Suzuki Italia. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'05.304 21
21 Ellison D. Team Pedercini. Ducati 999RS 2'07.324 17
22 Drazdak J. Yamaha Jr. Pro SBK Racing. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'08.149 16
23 Al Naimi M. D'Antin MotoGP. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'08.962 13

[neninja]

Wow Haga fastest in 1st Session with 1.50.019

That's 0.7s faster than the fastest ever WSB lap of the circuit (Bayliss in Superpole last year) and it's only the 1st proper session

Toseland and Max aren't far behind either. This is shaping up to be a good year in WSB.

[Corny]

Wow Haga fastest in 1st Session with 1.50.019

That's 0.7s faster than the fastest ever WSB lap of the circuit (Bayliss in Superpole last year) and it's only the 1st proper session

Toseland and Max aren't far behind either. This is shaping up to be a good year in WSB.

If he would have driven a 1:50, he should better go to MotoGP :D

QP1:
1 Haga N. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 1'59.019 16
2 Toseland J. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.056 17
3 Biaggi M. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1'59.369 22
4 Corser T. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 1'59.440 18
5 Lanzi L. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 1'59.459 17
6 Bayliss T. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 1'59.507 19
7 Kagayama Y. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1'59.805 19
8 Xaus R. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 2'00.244 19
9 Rolfo R. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.258 20
10 Nieto F. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'00.309 15
11 Fabrizio M. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.467 20
12 Neukirchner M. Suzuki Germany. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'00.626 20
13 Laconi R. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'00.733 17
14 Brookes J. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.936 17
15 Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'01.948 19
16 Martin S. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 2'01.964 17
17 Smrz J. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 999 F05 2'03.186 4
18 Ellison D. Team Pedercini. Ducati 999RS 2'03.704 20
19 Polita A. Celani Team Suzuki Italia. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'03.777 20
20 Al Naimi M. D'Antin MotoGP. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.487 17
21 Drazdak J. Yamaha Jr. Pro SBK Racing. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'07.170 17

[patnicholls]

Well, we're off and running for the new season.

Impressive work by Yamaha for quali today and Troy C, though JT, Max and the rest will be there too.

Bring on the races!

[fatman]

I'm excited to see some racing but unfortunately the race won't be covered here until Tuesday. I hate knowing who wins a race before seeing it. Seems silly that there is no way to get live coverage of SBKs in Canada.

[NinjaMaster]

I'm gonna miss the race live as my stinking brother (sorry Lanky) is having his engagement party tonite. Then I'm gonna have to avoid seeing any results and we are going to my Dad's mates place for a barbeque to watch the replay of the races tomorrow nite.


Here are the qualifying positions after superpole.

1. Corser T. Yamaha YZF-R1 1'59.440 1'58.922 1'58.402

2. Biaggi M. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1'59.369 1'59.403 1'58.724

3. Toseland J. Honda CBR1000RR 1'59.056 1'58.681 1'59.005

4. Haga N. Yamaha YZF-R1 1'59.019 1'58.955 1'59.294

5. Lanzi L. Ducati 999 F07 1'59.459 1'59.286 1'59.537

6. Bayliss T. Ducati 999 F07 1'59.507 1'59.522 1'59.668

7. Kagayama Y. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 1'59.805 1'59.457 1'59.964

8. Neukirchner M. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'00.626 1'59.830 2'00.098

9. Nieto F. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'00.309 1'59.919 2'00.240

10. Rolfo R. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.258 2'00.077 2'00.414

11. Xaus R. Ducati 999 F06 2'00.244 2'00.611 2'00.429

12. Fabrizio M. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.467 2'00.350 2'01.085

13. Laconi R. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'00.733 2'00.329 2'01.176

14. Muggeridge K. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.839 2'01.411

15. Brookes J. Honda CBR1000RR 2'00.936 2'01.884 2'01.581

16. Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'01.948 2'01.076 2'02.301

17. Martin S. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 2'01.359

18. Zaiser C. LBR Racing Team. MV Agusta F4 1000R 2'02.436

19. Polita A. Celani Team Suzuki Italia. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 2'02.717

20. Ellison D. Team Pedercini. Ducati 999RS 2'03.073

21. Smrz J. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 999 F05 2'03.186

22. Drazdak J. Yamaha Jr. Pro SBK Racing. Yamaha YZF-R1 2'05.380

23. Al Naimi M. D'Antin MotoGP. Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.487

Once again, Troy Corser shows he is the superpole king with his 39th pole position. He has also been very fast through all qualifying so should be strong for the race. Brilliant debut thus far for Biaggi. 2nd position sets him up really well for the race. Toseland is my tip for the win, he has been very strong this weekend. Bayliss has been stuck around 6-7th all weekend and is missing the pace from testing. He is a racer though so expect him fighting for the win come race time. The Kawasaki's have been disappointing, struggling for front end grip and Nieto also has the flu to deal with. Josh Brookes has met his expectations and made superpole and is a good chance to meet his aim of scoring points tomorrow. Steve Martin has been disappointing, comprehensively out-qualified by his teammate. I will put it down to lack of time on the Honda for now. It's gonna be a great season! :up:

Here's an amusing pic and caption of Lorenzo Lanzi.
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2007/wsbk/qatar/midway/2a.htm


Supersport Qualifying

Curtain K. Yamaha World SSP Racing Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'02.081

Charpentier S. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR600RR 2'02.183

Fujiwara K. Althea Honda Team. Honda CBR600RR 2'02.376

Sofuoglu K. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR600RR 2'02.752

Foret F. Team Gil Motor Sport. Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'03.266

Riba P. Team Gil Motor Sport. Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'03.342

Parkes B. Yamaha World SSP Racing Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'03.396

Nannelli G. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 749R 2'03.477

Tiberio Y. Stiggy Motorsport Honda. Honda CBR600RR 2'03.806

Roccoli M. Yamaha Team Italia. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'03.921

Veneman B. Team Hoegee Suzuki. Suzuki GSX-R600 2'03.931

Kallio V. Team Hoegee Suzuki. Suzuki GSX-R600 2'04.142

Harms R. Stiggy Motorsport Honda. Honda CBR600RR 2'04.308

Fores J. HP Racing. Honda CBR600RR 2'04.489

Giugliano D. Lightspeed Kawasaki Supported. Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'04.687

Peris C. Moto 1 - Yamaha Bikersdays. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.691

Vizziello G. RG Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.759

Lascorz J. Glaner Motocard.com. Honda CBR600RR 2'04.768

Ivanov V. Vector Racing Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.772

Alfonsi L. Althea Honda Team. Honda CBR600RR 2'04.798

Salom Fuentes D. Yamaha Spain. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'04.839

Jones C. Revè Ekerold Honda Racing. Honda CBR600RR 2'05.034

Leblanc G. Vazy Racing Team. Honda CBR600RR 2'05.058

Checa D. Yamaha - GMT 94. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'05.334

Gimbert S. Yamaha - GMT 94. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'05.414

Sanna S. Racing Team Parkalgar. Honda CBR600RR 2'05.862

Praia M. Racing Team Parkalgar. Honda CBR600RR 2'06.018

Lauslehto T. Intermoto Czech. Honda CBR600RR 2'06.519

De Angelis W. Intermoto Czech. Honda CBR600RR 2'06.662

Günther J. CRS Grand Prix. Honda CBR600RR 2'07.463

Enjolras J. Tati Team Beaujolais Racing. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'07.475

Talmacsi G. Vector Racing Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'07.570

Polzer Y. LBR Racing Team. Ducati 749R 2'08.547

Boccolini G. Team PMS Corse. Kawasaki ZX-6R 2'08.687

Milovanovic N. Team Benjan Motoren. Honda CBR600RR 2'08.986

Forner Garcia D. Yamaha Spain. Yamaha YZF-R6 2'10.039

Well the supersport seems to be more of the last 2 years from this very early stage with Curtain and Charpentier 1 and 2. Fujiwara is a bit of a surprise at 3 so hopefully this is a return to form for him. The Kwaks have been satisfyingly competitive at this very early stage of development with Foret and Riba occupying positions 5 and 6. There are some pretty big names (in supersport) well behind where you would expect with Harms (13th), Checa, Gimbert, Sanna and Lauslehto well down the order. Hopefully this is the start of the return of the classic supersport racing, rather than the recent processional series it has been for the past few seasons.

[Mach24]

Max wins first race in World Superbike. That is sure to spice up the championship.

[captin 1 VXR]

man i never seen max cry befor . good on him showing why he s there and he wants the crow and thats from the off :D

come on max keep it up all sesson :s mokin:

[maxu05]

Well done Max. I wish I had the TV coverage, from the report at crash.net, sounds like it was a great race. Did anyone see it on tv?

[Corny]

Not bad races, but they weren't great!

[Neil J]

I quite enjoyed the races. Maybe it was just good to have some racing back on the telly.

Well done JT :)

[seppefan]

Poor races, good riding though and just fantasic to see it all again. Welcome to the new season and I must admit I cannot wait for Phillipe Island next weekend. So much of interest even if they were not too exciting. Not all rounds can be. Bayliss will be back. Yamaha will sort the bike and I reckon that Biaggi's charm offensive will turn sour as soon as he has a bad weekend.

[seppefan]

I am JT fan but the Honda did seem to have the most grunt or is that unfair ?

[ChrisS]

Ten Kate Honda has the least support from the manufacturer compared to the other top "factory" teams (except Kawasaki thats not really a top team IMHO).

Ten Kate is a master tuner so he can get the most out of the engine but as the championship moves to circuits where power isnt everything I think Ten Kate will find itself in a disadvantage.

Overall the races were enjoyable. Not great but fun to watch. Biaggi is in good shape, he made a few mistakes but thats natural since he hasn't ridden a bike for a year, I expect him to get better. BTW he won his debut race in both MotoGP and WorldSBK, that must be some sort of unique achievement.

I also expect Bayliss to be back as soon as we move to more Ducati suited circuits and Yamaha to sort its bike out. Hopefully we will have a season with 5-6 riders on different bikes capable of winning races

In WSS, Well done Sofuoglu, its not often you see Charpentier being forced into making a mistake, Curtain tried but it seems its another year of Ten Kate Honda domination. behind the top 3 the rest of the riders put on a good show.

[fireblade1000]

Anybody know if any terrestrial TV or freeview channels in the uk are covering this years WSB season. Form the race reports it sounds like it was a great start to the season and i would really like to see it.

[Donney]

I loved to see Biaggi winning and I hope he can be there for the rest of the championship to make more interesting even. I'm a little disapointed with the Ducatis was it for the long straight or are they going to struggle the whole season?

It is good to have racing on the tv again.

[neninja]

It was great to see Max stick it to all the doubters. He's still got it.

I was very surprised to see Bayliss perform so poorly. The Ducati's may have struggled but he was out performed by Lanzi in qualifying and both races.

[ChrisS]

Anybody know if any terrestrial TV or freeview channels in the uk are covering this years WSB season. Form the race reports it sounds like it was a great start to the season and i would really like to see it.

No, it doesnt seem to be any terrestrial TV coverage, only Eurosport and MotorsTV

This is a pdf file with info on WSBK global coverage, including live races and highlights.
http://www.worldsbk.com/file/pdf/2007_SBK_TV_Distribution.pdf

[ATF]

Terrestrial TV coverage has been rubbish since BBC stopped doing live coverage. For the past 3 years (since the championship has picked up), all we've had are cheaply-made hour-long highlights at 1am on a sunday night on C4!! It's ridiculous - ITV should pick up the contract like they did with BSB!

[maxu05]

I am planning to subscribe to WSB coverage through their website. I hope the coverage is good, though, it's the only way i will get to see it.
WSBK subscription = 275 RMB (that's Chinese money)
Motogp subs = 450 RMB
That's Y 725. The wife (Loudanfox) said that I can get them both if I take her clothes shopping to the same value, AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[harsha]

you win some,you lose some :p :

[fatman]

The races were finally shown on SpeedTV yesterday. Not only was I surprised that Biaggi pulled a win out in his first race, but he also just looked very strong. He made one mistake in the second race loosing 2 places which cost him a second win. I think he would have caught JT if he had a few extra laps to run.

I've never been a huge Biaggi fan but I'm glad I have him in my fantasy league team. :-)

[maxu05]

But will Biaggi follow his Motogp form and Crash or win ?

[leopard]

I've never been a huge Biaggi fan but I'm glad I have him in my fantasy league team. :-)

how could this two different condition can go all together ;)

[leopard]

well, i think Biaggi has been familiar with the track has contributed to his success in his first round, i think he will have to strugle at tracks totally new for him. Let's see will he do consistently the whole season?, the season is long.

[maxu05]

I think max will do well at PI, it's a track he likes, and he always does well there.

[The Phantom]

Just caught a replay of the races last night on Foxtel. Race one was quite good! Lots of lead swapping between JT and Max. I was very impressed to see Max take a win on debut; but I wonder if Barros could have done the same had he been on top-shelf tackle?

Bring on PI!