Troy Corser leads first day qualifying in WSBK

Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
February 24 2005

Not surprisingly it is a Suzuki rider - former champion Troy Corser - who heads up the first day of qualifying in Qatar, in readiness for this weekend’s first battle in the World Superbike championship series.

Some riders dropped down the leaders’ list from official practice, which took place earlier in the week, and others improved somewhat on a rain swept circuit. Notably improved riders were Chris Vermeulen and Frankie Chili, among others. As pointed out in an earlier posting, Frankie is still on a standard engine machine, and will almost definitely improve on his position come final qualifying.

Unfortunately, James Toseland has not faired well, and is still in some pain after his earlier off during the official practice - the biggest off of his career. And, as he said, he is battered and bruised and has a sore backside, although he is still in tenth position.

Noriyuki Haga still retains his ninth position, and should improve as the qualifying gets more intense. Chris Walker has dropped to 14th from an earlier position of seventh. Garry McCoy has improved by two positions.

A notable improvement of the new boy in the series is that of José Luís Cardoso on the new Yamaha YZF-R1, and is obviously taking to riding the machine in his stride and will do well. More news tomorrow on who is going to be the man to watch come race day. Here are today’s times:

First day’s qualifying at Losail, Qatar
1 Troy Corser AUS, Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra, GSX-R1000 K5, 2:1.244s
2 José Luís Cardoso ESP, DFXtreme Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:1.388s
3 Régis Laconi FRA, Ducati Xerox, 999F05, 2:1.98s
4 Sébastien Gimbert FRA, Yamaha Motor France-Ipone, YZF-R1, 2:2.217s
5 Max Neukirchner BRD, Klaffi Honda, CBR 1000RR, 2:2.236s
6 Yukio Kagayama JAP, Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra, GSX-R1000 K5, 2:2.284s
7 Chris Vermeulen AUS, Winston Ten Kate Honda, CBR 1000RR, 2:2.469s
8 Pier-Francesco Chili ITA, Klaffi Honda, CBR 1000RR, 2:2.507s
9 Noriyuki Haga JAP, Yamaha Motor Italia, YZF-R1, 2:2.687s
10 James Toseland ENG, Ducati Xerox, 999F05, 2:2.754s
11 Iván Silva ESP, La Glisse Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:2.759s
12 Andrew Pitt AUS, Yamaha Motor Italia, YZF-R1, 2:2.769s
13 Norick Abe JAP, Yamaha Motor France-Ipone, YZF-R1, 2:2.868s
14 Chris Walker ENG, PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse, ZX10, 2:2.921s
15 Marco Borciani ITA, DFXtreme Sterilgarda Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:3.178s
16 Giovanni Bussei ITA, Kawasaki Bertocchi, ZX10, 2:3.268s
17 Lorenzo Lanzi ITA, Ducati SC Caracchi, 999RS, 2:3.314s
18 Karl Muggeridge AUS, Winston Ten Kate Honda, CBR 1000RR, 2:3.532s
19 Fonsi Nieto ESP, Ducati SC Caracchi, 999RS, 2:3.956s
20 Steve Martin AUS, Foggy Petronas Racing, FP1, 2:4.045s
21 Gianluca Vizziello ITA, Italia Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:4.587s
22 Miguel Praia POR, DFXtreme Sterilgarda Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:4.627s
23 Ivan Clementi ITA, Kawasaki Bertocchi, ZX10, 2:4.63s
24 Mauro Sanchini ITA, PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse, ZX10, 2:4.689s
25 Garry McCoy AUS, Foggy Petronas Racing, FP1, 2:4.991s
26 Lucio Pedercini ITA, Team Pedercini Ducati, 999RS, 2:5.182s
27 Alessio Velini ITA, Team Pedercini Ducati, 999RS, 2:5.777s
28 Ben Bostrom USA, Renegade Koji Honda, CBR 1000RR, 2:8.199s
29 Talal Al Nauami QAT, La Glisse Yamaha, YZF-R1, 2:11.59s