Jakub Smrz was the surprise fastest rider in the first qualifying session of the FIM World Superbike Championship season.

The Czech rider set the best time of one minute 32.312 seconds around the Australian circuit at Phillip Island on the Guandalini Ducati.

Ducati Xerox rider Nori Haga was second fastest ahead of Leon Haslam on the Stiggy Racing Honda and Suzuki Alstare pair Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama.

Aprilia's Shinya Nakano, Ducati's Michel Fabrizio, Yamaha's Ben Spies and team-mate Tom Sykes and Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari completed the top 10.

Smrz said: "For me, Phillip Island is almost the best circuit in the world.

"It is easy for me to make a good lap here.

"The bike is a good bike and 95% similar to last year's so I have been able to get on the pace very quickly.

"I have a lot of confidence with the tyre, even in these hot conditions."

Kiyonari and Troy Corser were among the fallers on the opening day of the season but both escaped without serious injury.

Shane Byrne, who was quickest at the Portimao pre-season test, recovered from a fall but could only post the 15th best time.