News 18 Feb 2013

Laverty fastest on opening morning at Phillip Island WSBK tests

Irishman Eugene Laverty has burst from the blocks in official World Superbike testing at Phillip Island.

Eugene Laverty has proven quickest early on at Phillip Island.

Eugene Laverty has proven quickest early on at Phillip Island.

Irishman Eugene Laverty has burst from the blocks in official World Superbike testing at Phillip Island ahead of this weekend’s opening round of the championship at the Victorian circuit.

Laverty produced a best lap of 1:31.730s on his factory Aprilia, to edge out British Honda teammates Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea, with world number two Marco Melandri in fourth spot aboard his BMW. Just 0.263 seconds separated the top four riders on the time sheets.

Twenty riders took to the freshly resurfaced Phillip Island grand prix circuit for the first of four sessions over the next two days, including championship favourite Tom Sykes and track specialist Carlos Checa.

Kawasaki-backed Sykes fractured his wrist in private testing last week, while Ducati’s Checa – who has won four of the last six races at Phillip Island – has been bedridden with a stomach ailment.

Australia’s Jamie Stauffer, preparing to make a one-off championship appearance on a locally prepared Honda, was 11th in the opening session, also escaping unhurt from a late crash. Fellow former national champion Glenn Allerton was 15th on his BMW.

Earlier, current number one Kenan Sofuoglu was fastest in the opening World Supersport session on his Kawasaki, with Australia’s young hope Josh Hook eighth on a Honda.

Testing continues this afternoon for both WSBK and World Supersport, and will conclude tomorrow.

Australia kicks off the 2013 season this weekend with round one of the championship from Friday to Sunday.

World Superbikes will battle in two, 22 lap races while World Supersport will face one 21 lap round. Australian classes will support the action.

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