Biaggi gets 2nd place in WSBK Superpole!

Texan WSBK rookie Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to the first Superpole win of the season in an exciting opening round session at Phillip Island in Australia. The 24 year-old took the top slot on his YZF R1 machine with a time of 1 minute 31.069 seconds. In the new ‘knock-out' formula, Italian Max Biaggi scored a second place grid slot, his best ever performance in Superpole, on the brand new Aprilia, the Italian manufacturer returning to Superbike after a seven-year break. The front row of the grid is completed by Britain's Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Jakub Smrz of the Czech Republic, top Ducati rider on a private Guandalini machine. Shinya Nakano finished at a respectable 9th place.

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) commented: "It's a big sensation for me to come back after so many years to Aprilia with this new project, the bike is good already. We still have to see which is the best way to go but for now qualifying was very good and exciting. I don't know about race pace for tomorrow but this is an encouraging start. When I saw everyone going 31s, I thought 'wow, that is fast'. I had some trouble in the free practice before qualifying, we swapped bikes and it was not my favourite one but we made a great job."

Full results

Highlight video of the Superpole

Nakano 6th in First Practice at Philip Island

Today was the first official Practice of the WSBK round at Philip Island.

Shinya Nakano, who put in another impressive performance on the Aprilia to go a provisional sixth. Team-mate Max Biaggi had run second in the early stages, but failed to better his time as the conditions improved and would eventually end up 11th.

Full qualifying times

Aprilia RSV4 magazine video #1

RSV4 WSBK in 2009 Livery

Aprilia finally presented the RSV4 in its 2009 Livery colors. It's looks a lot like the testing version only now it has white numberboards, a couple of small sponsors and a RSV4 logo on the sides. The small sponsors are Rifle (a jeans brand) and Midac (batteries manufacturer). The lack of a big sponsor is also surprising. Just like the BMW team, the WSBK Aprilia team doesn't seem to have a big sponsor. In the post below this one you can also see Max Biaggi in his new leathers.

Superbikeplanet interviews Max Biaggi

Superbikeplanet interviewed Max Biaggi about the new Aprilia project and his thoughts about the new season. Very interesting read. Go check out the interview here

Biaggi fastest at Philips Island WSBK test

Max Biaggi has shown the Aprilia RSV4 to be competitive ahead of the 2009 FIM Superbike World Championship by topping the test times in Australia.

Ahead of the first race of the season at Phillip Island on March 1 the Italian was quickest despite suffering a fall.

Biaggi was also close to the the quickest race lap at the circuit set by Troy Bayliss last season on his way to the world title on Ducati.

Biaggi said: "We completed every test possible with all the material available, in every condition and we know exactly the problems we are facing.

"Now is the time to make some important modifications, obviously not for the next race because that's impossible, but shortly after."

Biaggi's team-mate Shinya Nakano was also on the pace along with Regis Laconi who was able to resume testing on the privateer DFX Ducati 1098RS even after he fell and fractured a finger on his left hand.

Kawasaki's Broc Parkes set good laps on the Kawasaki ZX10R F09, no doubt helped by the attendance of nine engineers from the Japanese company's racing division.

Honda Stiggy duo Leon Haslam and Roberto Rolfo also showed good from and their team-mate Anthony West set the best time of the four FIM World Supersport Championship riders on duty.

The final test session at Phillip Island takes place on Saturday and Sunday, with factory teams from Ducati, BMW, Suzuki Alstare, Honda Ten Kate and Yamaha taking part.

Simoncelli completes test on top

Reigning champion Marco Simoncelli completed his two-day 250GP test at Valencia by claiming the fastest time once again.

The Italian, returning to action after winning last year's title, lapped quicker than he did on the first day, lowering his best time to 1min 36.4secs, while his 80 laps also made him the busiest rider on track.

The Metis Gilera RSA rider was run closer this time though, edging out Roberto Locatelli by two tenths of a second, while Honda's Hector Faubel rounded out the top three.

Rathapark Wilairot, Alex Baldolini and Karl Abraham completed the top six runners.

Valencia 250cc test – day two (top six)

1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1min 36.4secs
2. Roberto Locatelli Gilera 1min 36.6secs
3. Héctor Faubel Honda 1min 36.7secs
4. Rathapark Wilairot Honda 1min 36.8secs
5. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1min 37.6secs
6. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1min 38.5secs