WFR Honda's Alex Lowes continues to lead the MCE British Superbike field at Silverstone, topping the final free practice session this morning and fending off a late charge from reigning champion Tommy Hill.
Lowes' quickest lap was a 2'07.387 but Swan Yamaha's Hill put in charge with his final run to go second on a 2'07.614 which shuffled fellow Showdown contender Michael Laverty down to third place and 0.355s off the pace.
Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes was fighting for top spot for most of the session but slipped down to fourth in the final stages. He crashed after losing the front on the bumps at Stowe but was unhurt.
"'I'm feeling good just annoyed. I lost the front end going into Stowe. Went in fast on the bumps, lost the front and that was it. The bike is not too badly damaged and the boys will be able to get it back together for me. It was something that we could have done without but we have to keep on trying," said the Aussie.
Jakub Smrz continues to impress, bagging fifth place on the Splitlath Aprilia. Riders' Cup leader James Westmoreland was sixth and just over a second slower than his team-mate.
Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki man Stuart Easton was eighth behind team-mate Shane Byrne with Pete Hickman a solid ninth. Luca Scassa rounded out the top ten.
