Former WorldSBK runner-up and new recruit of the Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils squad Leon Haslam has made steady progress throughout the opening day of the Australian Round at Phillip Island. The 31-year-old Briton kept evaluating new material for his Aprilia RSV4 RF as well as testing tyre behaviour in different conditions and temperatures. Haslam eventually crashed in the final stages of the second free practice session while going for a quick-lap attempt, from which he escaped uninjured.

“This first day was a good début for us”, said Leon Haslam. “Today we tried a lot of different setups and were able to find some good solutions. In my last lap I crashed on turn 10 due to a small mistake. We also focused on the two rear tyre options available to us, on their performance with varying temperatures and wear during the race, and we are close to an optimum setup. Looking at the races on Sunday I think that the hotter tarmac will help my Aprilia. Its power output could make things easier for me. The secret to this track is trying everything and fine tuning the bike, so that's what we'll be concentrating on tomorrow.”