Corser on Superbike pole

From Yamaha Racing

PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA -- Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) set the fastest lap on the first day at Phillip Island Friday, posting a 1:32.366 lap time on his 17th out of 21 laps.

Despite suffering bruising and a pain from two crashes in last week's opening SBK round, Noriyuki Haga battled to 13th, finding his current suspension settings less than ideal for the ever-changing Phillip Island track surface.

The relatively cool temperatures of final qualifying were nonetheless a great improvement on the first unofficial qualifying conditions, after morning rains had arrived to welcome the first day of action and the track surface took some time to give any great level of grip.

"We have quite a good feeling from the bike, but I feel we can get it even better than it is," Corser said. "The test we had was held in very different conditions and the chassis setting we had for the test doesn't seem to be working now. The grip just seems to be different on the ground."

Qualifying Results
1. Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 1:32.336
2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 1:32.374
3. Michel Fabrizio, Ducati, ITA, 1:32.570
4. Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 1:32.808
5. Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 1:32.827
6. Max Biaggi, Ducati, ITA, 1:32.827
7. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 1:32.827
8. Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 1:33.188
9. Fonsi Nieto, Suzuki, ESP, 1:33.269
10. Carlos Checa, Honda, ESP, 1:33.283
11. Russel Holland, Honda, AUS, 1:33.340
12. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, AUS, 1:33.489
13. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 1:33.588
14. Gregorio Lavilla, Honda, ESP, 1:33.718
15. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, JPN, 1:33.995
16. David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 1:34.050