Superbikes: Edwards on a roll

TEXAN Colin Edwards was second fastest in qualifying for today's Suzuka Eight-Hour race in Japan - following on from his double win on the Castrol Honda superbike at Brands Hatch last Sunday.

Edwards was Honda Cabin's last-minute replacement for injured MotoGP frontrunner Tohru Ukawa for the prestigious endurance championship round.

The American is partnering reigning 250cc world champion Daijiro Katoh on one of the latest 1000cc twin cylinder SP-W machines.

"Katoh is the ideal team-mate for a long-distance race," said Edwards.

Edwards was the winner of last year's Eight-Hour partnered by MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi .

Brazilian MotoGP contender Alex Barros and Japan's Yuichi Takeda were fastest on their Honda.

Meanwhile, Ducati yesterday completed two days' testing with the Desmosedici factory bike at Mugello that Aussie Troy Bayliss will debut in the MotoGP series next year.

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