The 24th edition of the FIM Superbike World Championship is set to get under way this weekend with the opening round held at Phillip Island (Australia). The spectacular sea backdrop venue located 150 kms south of Melbourne in the State of Victoria was the scene for two days of official tests earlier this week, and the times recorded clearly gave some indication of how the 23 riders present will go this weekend. Following the tests, most of the Superbike and Supersport riders were able to relax for a couple of days but on the day before action gets underway, they lined up for the championship's official photo shoot on Gardner Straight.
Carlos Checa: "Testing was very positive, we had a good lap time but what is more important is after Sunday. So far we focus on the work to get the right feeling with the bike because we didn't do so much testing this winter. Finally you arrive at a certain point where the bike is OK, the feelings, the reference and you put the right tyre in and do the lap time. My feeling is that this is one of the best tracks for Ducati. Now we start with a different bike and I think we have a better package than last year."
Jonathan Rea: "I've spent the last two days in hospital, which really frustrated me. I have a bit of swelling in my left hand, but hopefully we can get it down. Movement is perfect and my strength also. I'm looking forward to riding here, my bike's working well. Last year it wasn't perfect but the set-up over a race distance was good and I'm looking forward to banging bars and try and start the season off better than last year."
Max Biaggi: "I feel very good of course to start in the best way possible. I feel good with the bike and the team, we have all the same equipment and the bike gets a little better, but there's going to be a big question-mark for this weekend. I'll try to be there. This track looks like it doesn't suit the Aprilia like the other tracks but we will try to get a good result and the best points possible. Testing was OK and I'm quite optimistic to get a good result on Sunday."
Marco Melandri: "I'm pretty happy to be here, everything looks very new and very difficult. It's going to be very tough for me because of my shoulder, that has taken two months to recover. Testing on Monday and Tuesday was good, so much better than at Portimao but still not 100%. I just want to try and do my best, my Yamaha is working very good and I'm very confident. My physical condition is not perfect right now, so two times 22 laps is not going to be easy!"
Carlos Checa: "Testing was very positive, we had a good lap time but what is more important is after Sunday. So far we focus on the work to get the right feeling with the bike because we didn't do so much testing this winter. Finally you arrive at a certain point where the bike is OK, the feelings, the reference and you put the right tyre in and do the lap time. My feeling is that this is one of the best tracks for Ducati. Now we start with a different bike and I think we have a better package than last year."
Jonathan Rea: "I've spent the last two days in hospital, which really frustrated me. I have a bit of swelling in my left hand, but hopefully we can get it down. Movement is perfect and my strength also. I'm looking forward to riding here, my bike's working well. Last year it wasn't perfect but the set-up over a race distance was good and I'm looking forward to banging bars and try and start the season off better than last year."
Max Biaggi: "I feel very good of course to start in the best way possible. I feel good with the bike and the team, we have all the same equipment and the bike gets a little better, but there's going to be a big question-mark for this weekend. I'll try to be there. This track looks like it doesn't suit the Aprilia like the other tracks but we will try to get a good result and the best points possible. Testing was OK and I'm quite optimistic to get a good result on Sunday."
Marco Melandri: "I'm pretty happy to be here, everything looks very new and very difficult. It's going to be very tough for me because of my shoulder, that has taken two months to recover. Testing on Monday and Tuesday was good, so much better than at Portimao but still not 100%. I just want to try and do my best, my Yamaha is working very good and I'm very confident. My physical condition is not perfect right now, so two times 22 laps is not going to be easy!"
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