Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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World Superbike Phillip Island Test completed no fewer than 20 laps on one set of race tires. "We completed all the work on the bike and I am obviously very happy because in terms of competitiveness, we are there," Xaus said. "I did a lot of laps in the low 1:34 range after 20 to 30 laps so I am very happy about that. I think I have the key for the race in my pocket. I think we still have some potential to go faster than this, but I did not want to show all my cards too early. We can still do something more." The fact that both Infostrada bikes adorned the top of the time sheets should be warning enough that the Daddy of all World Superbike teams is back to normal business. Proof that, whatever else happens, the Red Army is still a force to be reckoned with - even without the help of the L&M Divisions. "We finished early because we ran out of my favorite front tire," Bayliss said. "The weather wasn't that great to try and set a fast lap this afternoon [the final day] and you really have to have the right kind of day to set a fast lap here. It will be cooler than this for the race for sure. The jump in performance from last year's bike to this year's bike is not as big as it was in 2001, but it's definitely better. I feel a lot more at home on the new one, whereas last year I was stressing a lot and chopping and changing stuff around all the time. "I will obviously be the man to beat because I've got the number-one plate, but there are some tough guys out there. But I have to say I feel pretty good about the year coming up." Noriyukl Hap (left! and fellow Japanese rider Hitoyasu Izutsu will attack the 2002 Wot1d Supebike _ together, but on different . . . . • as IzuIsu retunIs on the flIctory ~. season shoulder surgery, but beasted THE LONE TEXAN in the laps in any case. Phillip Island was not to be his on a Michelin day, but there is no question that he is close enough to the Michelin guys to be a genuine threat at even more tracks than last season. One of four A one-man team? Suits Colin Edwards just fine. What was less of a happy subject was his lack of a full 2002 bike, making do with an 8-Hour motor and a semi 2002 chassis setup. Considering that, he went damned well, especially after a scary fast crash at Siberia comer on day two. "We're making some progress with the new Showa suspension internals," Edwards said. "I would say we're pretty close to the level of what we're used to. We have had the same fork internals for four years, and they're good, but we had reached the final level with them and we really need to take the next step and make progress with the new ones. The difference between this bike and the one I had last year is that it felt like a board in 2001. It was so stiff that if you potential champions at this level of dedication and preseverence. "I may have been fastest Dunlop rider, but it's really frustrating," Bostrom said. "I am glad we rode right to the end because we came up with some good improvements in the rear grip and steering in the very last BOSTROM'S BOYS two sessions. I'm so glad that we L&M Ducati's Ben Bostrom struggled around the contours of Phillip Island until the latter stages, when he sorted out a set up that worked his tires easier. The rider himself was still suffering from problems from his off- were here for the full three days. I think Dunlop has gained some good information to come up with more tires in time for the race. I can't wait to get to Valencia for the tests there." I lIIIo .d ... .... . . . . . . .,. t .. tt .... .................. ,=, c.eIroI ... ............ tIlIrd q 18 FEBRUARY 20, 2002' cue • _ n __ s opened the throttle the back end would just step out. Now, with the 2002 chassis, the back end comes out more gradually and it has a lot more feedback." NEEDING NEW No new engine in the Kawasaki yet, and both Hitoyasu lzutsu and especially Chris Walker could have done with the extra 7-10 hp the new bike allows, especially if it helps corner-exiting acceleration. Fresh blood for the old Kawasaki to feed on soon, but will the results be the same? Izutsu has shown willingness, but Walker, with a bashed ego and confidence after his GP racing disaster, is in for a long road back to Former British Supertoike rivals Neil Hodgson (left) and Chris Walker (right) discuss Walker's recent manicure.