Flying Laconi puts Pirelli under 2003 pace.

Regis Laconi completed Ducati Fila's World Superbike pre-season test session at Phillip Island today on a positive note, the Frenchman knocking half a second off yesterday's best to end with a time of 1min 33.55secs - comfortably quicker than the fastest race lap from the 2003 WSBK event, set by his predecessor Ruben Xaus on Michelins.

Laconi, who Ducati stressed had exclusively used race tyres today, added more than 450kms to the 999's development curve, completing a massive total of 106 laps during the final day - and indicating that the performance deficit many had feared from the switch to Pirelli only tyres appears unfounded.

"I am quite tired but very happy! Yesterday I said I could improve my time but I didn't think I could get down to 1min 33.5secs," said the 28-year-old Frenchman. "Step by step we're working well in the team to find the settings that are helping me to ride more easier and now that I've reached a good feeling with the 999, I'm a lot more confident.

"My long-run in the afternoon went well and I was almost one second a lap quicker than my race time here last year," he added.

Meanwhile, team-mate James Toseland was still feeling the effects of yesterday's spill and his best mark over the three days remained the time of 1min 34.50secs he posted on Wednesday.

Toseland, who completed 78 laps today, continued the tyre testing programme which was cut short yesterday when he highsided in the morning and the 23-year-old was able make a good choice of front tyre.

"Unfortunately I was suffering a bit from the effects of yesterday's crash," said Toseland, "and as a result was unable to push as hard as I would have liked. For the moment the times are not important, it's what I've done here that counts and I'm pretty pleased with the progress we've made."

Phillip Island test - overall best times after three days:

1. Regis Laconi FRA Ducati Fila 1min 33.55secs
2. James Toseland GBR Ducati Fila 1min 34.50secs
3. Troy Corser AUS Foggy Petronas 1min 35.4secs
4. Chris Walker GBR Foggy Petronas 1mim 35.7secs

Comparative lap times - 2003 WSBK round:Fastest lap: Ruben Xaus SPA Ducati Fila 1min 33.813secs