Spain's Carlos Checa was fastest on day one at Aragon. Now, he'll head to Estoril for MotoGP duties.

Althea Racing Ducati’s Carlos Checa left the opening day of the Motorland Aragon World Superbike test in the best possible mood after setting the fastest lap on the first of three days of Superbike testing at the Spanish track.

The Spaniard, who now leaves for Estoril to contest this weekend’s MotoGP round for Pramac Racing, ended the day with a time of 1:58.3, a full second faster than second-placed rider Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) and followed by Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia), who was one-tenth away.

All the other riders at the test remained above the two minute mark, starting with Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia Pata Racing), on his second outing on the Italian V4 machine with a time of 2:00.3. A fraction away from the Japanese rider were Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki).

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Troy Corser (BMW) both set a time of 2:00.6, together with the impressive Italian youngster Lorenzo Baroni (Althea Racing Ducati), the real surprise of the test so far.

Leon Haslam, again running a 2010-spec BMW S 1000RR, concentrated on getting familiar with his new machine, and remained above the 2:01 mark.

Fabien Foret (Lorenzini Kawasaki), Broc Parkes (Kawasaki Motocard.com), Luca Scassa and Chaz Davies (Triumph ParkinGO) are present with their Supersport machines, with Sheridan Morais is the only Superstock rider on track for Lorenzini Kawasaki. No times were provided for those categories.

The three-day test is being held on a slightly longer track (5.345km) than the one used in MotoGP, with the final curve incorporating a hairpin and an ‘esse’ bend instead of a long left-hand curve.

Testing at Motorland Aragon continues Thursday and Friday.

UNOFFICIAL DAY ONE TEST TIMES:
1. Checa (Ducati) 1:58.3
2. Fabrizio (Suzuki) 1:59.3
3. Biaggi (Aprilia) 1:59.4
4. Haga (Aprilia) 2:00.3
5. Camier (Aprilia), 2:00.4
=5. Sykes (Kawasaki) 2:00.4
=7. Corser (BMW) 2:00.6
=7. Fuijwara (Kawasaki) 2:00.6
=7. Baroni (Ducati) 2:00.6
10. Haslam (BMW) 2:01.0