CORSER AND KAGAYAMA TEST IN QATAR
08 December 2005 - Suzuki Racing

World Superbike Champion Troy Corser and team-mate Yukio Kagayama have finished their three-day test in Qatar upbeat and looking forward to next season.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra squad didn''t have any radical revisions to this year''s World-beating GSX-R1000 but there were a host of modifications tried out and during the three days, Corser and Kagayama evaluated new front forks, a new rear shock, different brake discs and other development parts.

The biggest improvements were new Pirelli tyres with Corser particularly taking to them immediately. Kagayama did not get the same positive feelings about the tyres initially mainly because of his different, more-aggressive riding style, but he was happy with the progress made during the tests.

Corser was quickest over the first two days, smashing the 1:59 barrier, but suffered a stomach virus which forced him to sit out the final day. His time of 1:59.17 was only beaten by Troy Bayliss (Ducati) who used qualifying rubber.

Third quickest overall was Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) with Kagayama sixth.

Troy Corser:

''Despite missing the final day, I feel the tests have gone very well for us. We had lots to try out - nothing major - and we gathered a lot of useful data throughout. For me, the biggest improvements were the tyres. I could feel what was happening much better than before and I could lay the bike into the turn far more easily. Also, the grip was better and I was working myself and the tyre much harder! I know Bayliss went quicker on the final day, but that was on qualifying rubber, whereas my best times were all done on race rubber.

''I don''t know how I got sick, but I guess it must be some strange water or maybe salad that wasn''t washed properly. It''s been a long but wonderful season and I want to wish everybody a peaceful and happy holiday. I''m going to spend some time with my family and friends over the break and then be raring to go at the next tests in the New Year.''

Yukio Kagayama:

''I am not disappointed at all because we have done a lot of good work here during the three days. We tried many things including front forks, rear suspension, new discs and other small things. This is the same bike as we''ve raced all year with just some new pieces to evaluate. Troy-san was happier than me with the new tyre, but this was probably because our riding styles are so different! The weather has been perfect these three days and so I think we have achieved a lot and we should be very happy.

''I am looking forward to some rest now back in Japan and seeing my family again. Next year will be great fun and I am looking forward to it already.''

Overall results: 1 Bayliss (Ducati) 1:58.66, 2 Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:59.17, 3 Lanzi (Ducati) 1:59.40, 4 Muggeridge (Honda) 2:00.09, 5 Toseland (Honda) 2:00.10, 6 Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:00.38, 7 Haga (Yamaha) 2:00.46, 8 Pitt (Yamaha) 2:00.56, 9 Martin (Petronas) 2:01.80, 10 Jones (Petronas) 2:02.56.

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