Xaus Smashes Valencia Record

Added on Friday, March 14th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor

Spaniard Ruben Xaus has ensured that he is the focus of all the headlines this week after smashing the track record during the Valencia WBS test.

Sterilgarda rider Xaus smashed Troy Balyiss’ record with a time of 1:34.265 to top the leader board by more than a second over Max Neukirchner on the Suzuki and take a major psychological advantage ahead of the Valencia leg of the championship on April 6.

Japan’s Yukio Kagayama was back in action again in record time after breaking his collarbone in the opening round in Qatar in February and posted a third-best time of 1:35.368 whilst Spain’s Carlos Checa was fourth fastest on Ten Kate Honda’s new CBR RR.

Ducati Xerox riders Bayliss and Fabrizio, Yamaha Italia’s Corser and Haga and Xaus’ teammate Max Biaggi were all absent from testing this weekend, but will compete in the third round of the championship. Xaus will also sit out Friday’s test.

Kawasaki’s Ayrton Badovini crashed out in the afternoon session but was unharmed whilst Regis Laconi also finished off the track.

Day 1 Times:

1. Xaus (Ducati) 1m34.265s;
2. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 1m35.313s;
3. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m35.368s;
4. Checa (Honda) 1m35.395s;
5. Kiyonari (Honda) 1m35.797s;
6. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m35.910s;
7. Nieto (Suzuki) 1m35.993s;
8. Lanzi (Ducati) 1m36.018s;
9. Tamada (Kawasaki) 1m36.047s;
10. Rolfo (Honda) 1m36.182s;
11. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m36.211s;
12. Nakatomi (Yamaha) 1m36.600s.