Josh Hayes was fastest during testing at Daytona this week. Image: AMA Pro Racing.

Defending American AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Hayes has commenced season 2011 where he left off last year, topping the time sheets at the official Dunlop Tyre Test at Daytona in Florida on Tuesday.

After waiting out a rain delay on Monday and losing most of Tuesday to damp conditions and early morning fog, the assembled AMA Pro Road Racing teams finally got onto the newly-paved Daytona International Speedway for the test.

Hayes posted a time of 1:38.795, edging out Tommy Hayden on his Suzuki with a time of 1:39.074, while Hayden’s teammate Blake Young was third.

“The track is just so unbelievably smooth,” Graves Yamaha rider Hayes commented. “When you compare some of the data from previous years, it is so much smoother. It is different, but it doesn’t take long to get back into the groove. I’m looking forward to the race.”

Veteran Larry Pegram debuted his new BMW S1000RR to set the fourth quickest lap, while Ben Bostrom and Roger Hayden were next best aboard Michael Jordan’s Suzukis.

Current AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion Martin Cardenas made his debut in the Superbike class and ended up seventh, just ahead of his Team M4 Suzuki teammate Chris Ulrich.

Australian David Anthony was 10th quickest, while countrymen Chris Trounson and Jordan Burgess were 16th and 17th respectively.

In preparation for the Daytona 200, the Daytona SportBike riders took to the track for one session, which was interrupted by a brief sprinkling of raindrops.

P. J. Jacobsen topped the times after the short break with a best lap of 1:51.822 on his new Fast By Ferracci Ducati 848EVO, heading fellow 848 rider Jason Disalvo and Yamaha rider Jake Zemke.

“We were pretty happy with how everything went today,” Jacobsen commented. “I think the track feels smooth as glass, and of course we’re really happy being on top.”

AMA Pro Road Racing’s 2011 season opener will be held at Daytona International Speedway 10-12 March.