Bayliss rides to the top of the timesheet. For two and a half days Troy Corser rider with Yamaha Motor Italia looked like he would be the only man to leave Losail with a time under the 1’58 barrier, but after suffering his second crash he had to sit out the final part, and watch his great rival Troy Bayliss riding with Ducati Xerox secure the best lap time of 1’58.1.

Bayliss, riding the all-new 1098 F08 machine, put in a quick last lap after a busy test for both rider and team, overcoming some set-up issues on day one to finish strongly. Second quickest rider was Corser’s team-mate and 2007 vice-champion, Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) who used a new swingarm design to secure a time of 1’58.4, only two tenths better than Corser’s pre-crash best.

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