Aprilia’s WSB rider Noriyuki Haga, on one of his first outings on his new (to him) four-stroke, V-twin, 1000cc superbike at Valencia, was very quick, indeed. Testing with the Ducati World champion, Troy Bayliss, and six-race winner last year, Ben Bostrom (also factory Ducati), Haga was quickest.
According to the Ducati duo, track conditions were not conducive to a fast time, but Haga was nevertheless under Troy Corser’s lap record of 1:36.128.
Haga, who had a miserable year last year, on a two-stroke 500 for Yamaha on Michelin tires, looks ready to challenge for the championship in WSB next year, back on Dunlops.
