Samsung Suzuki's John Hopkins snatched top spot with his last lap in this morning's opening British Superbike free practice session at Silverstone, going six-tenths ahead of Tommy Hill, who had lead the entire 45-minute session with an early lap of 2'08.578.
The American, who flew in late yesterday afternoon after a final checkup with his doctor in California, only put in a handful of flying laps but banged in a 2'07.977 which is considerably slower than his World Superbike pole time of 2'04.041 set on Pirelli qualifying tyres.
WFR Honda's Graeme Gowland put his Evo-spec Fireblade in third place, prompting some raised eyebrows, with a 2'09.029 while Michael Laverty, on the second Swan bike put in a 2'09.036 but is more than a second off the pace and nearly half a second slower than his team-mate.
HM Plant Honda's Shane Byrne, who is on tenter hooks over the imminent birth of his second child, is fifth quickest just ahead of team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari. The Japanese rider appears to have been re-chipped and is looking comfortable on his Fireblade.
Martin Jessopp put the Rapid Ducati in seventh just ahead of Alex Lowes on the Motorpoint Yamaha. Glen Richards was ninth on the second Evo-spec WFR while Jon Kirkham rounded out the top ten. Peter Hickman is 11th and Gary Mason, on the 2012-spec Evo Kawasaki, is 12th. Mason's team-mate Ian Lowry is 13th, Dan Linfoot 14th and Josh Brookes in 15th.
Barry Burrell is the third of the Evo runners in 17th overall while Michael Rutter is still suffering with his broken ribs and could only muster 24th place, five seconds off the pace.
