Eurosport - Sun, 25 Jan 20:06:00 2009
The last day of World Superbike Championship testing at Portimao was affected by adverse weather conditions leaving Shane Byrne as the overall pace setter on his private Sterilgarda Ducati.
"I didn't expect to be fastest in the test to be honest but I'm not surprised," declared 'Shakey'.
"The bike's working really well and the relationship and feedback with the team and my engineer is great.
"This Superpole formula is not new for me, we tried something similar in the last few BSB races.
"It's really exciting and spectacular and I'm sure it'll look good on TV as well".
Only two top riders improved their weekend times in the wet weather: Troy Corser, who was ranked an impressive 11th on the all-new BMW four-cylinder, and Max Biaggi on the V4 Aprilia, who went 18th.
Many of the top teams will now leave Portimao for Phillip Island for private testing in advance of the season's opening race in just over one month's time.
Overall Best Times:
1. Shane Byrne (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.294
2. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.484
3. Noriyuki Haga (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.487
4. Tom Sykes (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.546
5. Carlos Checa (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.657
6. Max Neukirchner (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'43.674
7. Jacob Smrz (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.767
8. Michel Fabrizio (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.951
9. Jonathan Rea (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.115
10. Leon Haslam (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.170
Comment 1 - 2 of 22
Byrne looking good again. I think he's gonna have a great chance at the title this year aslong as Ducati give his team the good bits
Shakey WSB Champ ??????? He should have been given the factory ride !!!!!!!! Go Shakey win it on a customer bike it'll be great.
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