Originally Posted by MSchu

Nakano

Originally Posted by crash.net

Max Biaggi made a promising start to his time with the Aprilia World Superbike team as he lapped consistently quicker than he did with Sterilgarda Ducati on the Portimao race weekend.

Conducting his first proper test aboard the new RSV-4, Biaggi scored the third best lap on the second day of testing in Portugal with a time of 1min 44.1secs – six tenths better than his best race lap on the Ducati.

One half of a high-profile rider line-up that also includes MotoGP refugee Shinya Nakano, Biaggi got two days on the bike and was impressed with Aprilia's immediate competitiveness. He also pronounced himself happy with the surroundings in his new team.

"The second and last day of the Portimao test has now finished," Biaggi wrote on his official website. "The two days have been very important for us, given that we have a completely new bike.

"The impression is that the indications already given have been accurate, and now we have to wait for the next test in December. The technicians have time to make the necessary modifications.

"I've got a good feeling with the guys in the team and we're motivated to do well. I can't wait to get back on the bike again, but unfortunately I've got to wait a month. I'll conclude by saying that I'm happy to be with this team and to be working with Aprilia."

Originally Posted by crash.net

Despite the best efforts of an errant bird, Troy Corser claims BMW have created a very good base to work from as he hit the track for the first time aboard the all-new S1000RR.

Although BMW avoided direct comparisons with most of their rivals by testing in Valencia rather than Portimao, Corser and new team-mate Ruben Xaus both had the chance to conduct a full two days of running aboard the German manufacturer's maiden Superbike effort.

The first impressions from Corser were good, the experienced former champion stating that BMW have worked hard to create a quick bike, albeit one that still needs a formidable amount of work done to it before its debut next season.

Nevertheless, Corser "got into the 1min 35secs on race rubber", which compares well with the Australian's best race lap of 1min 35.256sec at the 2008 Valencia round. The best Valencia race lap was a 1min 35.131sec by Corser's Yamaha Italia team-mate Noriyuki Haga.

“I am a bit surprised really because I didn't think I would feel as comfortable on the bike as I did,” he said. “The base is very good and although there is a lot of work to be done, I feel very positive about our prospects.

“Even though I have had just two days on the bike, I feel it is my bike and I wasn't expecting that so soon. I'm happy with the progress we made over the two days and now the team have now got a lot of info and telemetry data to work with for the next test.”

The test wasn't completely without drama though as Corser was in collision with a bird, one that hit him hard on the neck.

“The communication is very good and there have been no problems except that I got hit by a bird towards the end of the test. It happened between turn one and two and it hit me just under the throat, above my chest protector, and it was a pretty heavy hit. It ruined my lap and it didn't do the bird any good either!”

"We know we still have a lot of work to do, but I am happy because our direction is very clear," stated Berti Hauser, director BMW Motorrad Motorsport. "We are much closer to competitive lap times then previous tests - we didn't use any qualifiers and Troy got into the 1min 35secs on race rubber - and we know, from the riders, the things we have to do to improve."