Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes has set the MCE British Superbike first free practice pace this morning at Donington Park, edging out Alex Lowes for top spot but only by seven one-thousandths of a second with his final flying lap.
The Bringelly man lapped in 1'30.636 compared to WFR Honda man Lowes' 1'30.643 with Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty hopping up the order to third late on in the session. The Toomebridge rider is a little over a second slower than Brookes but only half a tenth quicker than James Westmoreland on the second WFR bike.
Former World Supersport front runner Luca Scassa is fifth and a quarter of a second off the pace while Alastair Seeley slid down from third into sixth with his fastest of 1'30.892. Danny Buchan, who is riding with fractured collarbone, placed seventh.
Buildbase BMW's Barry Burrell was eighth while Scott Smart put in his best dry-weather performance of the season so far in ninth. The Moto Rapido Ducati man was third quickest with only a few minutes left but was bumped down the order. Jon Kirkham rounds out the top ten.
Reigning champion Tommy Hill could only muster 11th place with Michael Rutter, Gary Mason, Noriyuki Haga and Ian Lowry, who spent most of the session in the garage with a sick engine, rounding out the top ten.
Shane Byrne elected not to ride in the session while he continues to evaluate his fitness this weekend.
