Ducati dominate Phillip Island test
Added on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Ducati dominate Phillip Island test
Michel Fabrizio secured the top spot at Phillip Island yesterday in the final pre-season test before the start of the 2009 World Superbikes Championship.
The Italian came within just three tenths of a second of the record lap time at the Australian circuit in a closely fought day of testing that ended with both of the Ducati factory riders on top of the time sheets.
Fabrizio posted a fastest time of 1:32.19 in the session to reaffirm his title credentials ahead of the start of the 2009 season whilst new teammate Noriyuki Haga was barely over one tenth of a second behind with a time of 1:32.30
Indeed, all of the top seven managed to dip under the 1:33 barrier, with seventh place going to Britain’s Jonathan Rea on the Ten Kate Honda.
Tom Sykes was close behind on his Yamaha with a time of 1:33.10 whilst his new teammate Ben Spies continued to impress with the third fastest time of the day, just 0.06secs behind Haga.
WSB newcomers BMW will also be pleased with their progress after both of their riders secured places in the top ten. Australian Troy Corser posted the sixth best time on his home circuit at 1:32.93 whilst Spaniard Ruben Xaus came in tenth at 1:33.53.
Phillip Island Test Overall times:
| Pos | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Michael Fabrizio | Xerox Ducati | 1:32.19 |
| 2 | Noriyuki Haga | Xerox Ducati | 1:32.30 |
| 3 | Ben Spies | Yamaha | 1:32.36 |
| 4 | Max Neukirchner | Alstare Suzuki | 1:32.59 |
| 5 | Yukio Kagayama | Alstare Suzuki | 1:32.78 |
| 6 | Troy Corser | BMW | 1:32.93 |
| 7 | Jonathan Rea | Ten Kate Honda | 1:32.96 |
| 8 | Tom Sykes | Yamaha | 1:33.10 |
| 9 | Carlos Checa | Ten Kate Honda | 1:33.33 |
| 10 | Ruben Xaus | BMW | 1:33.53 |
