Editor

Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) set the quickest lap ever recorded around Phillip Island on a Superbike machine when he powered his Ducati 1098R to a time of 1 minute 30.882 seconds, thus grabbing the first Superpole trophy of the year.
Checa, one of last year's winners in Australia, was just a fraction ahead of Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) who put in a quick*lap*towards the end but who was edged*off the top slot*by 0.013 seconds. Sylvain Guintoli gave the Effenbert - Liberty Racing team a great championship baptism with third place on the grid, after another good run at Phillip Island for teh Frenchman.


Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) made a great effort to take his S1000 RR machine to the fourth slot, just managing to hold off a last-minute attempt*by Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team). Jakub Smrz (Effenbert - Liberty Racing) was next up followed by Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad), while Marco Melandri concluded his first Superpole with eighth place.



Source: World Superbike

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