Qualifying three

Shane Byrne 45’655

James Ellison 45’970

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne claims the first pole of the MCE British Superbike season, setting a lap time of 45’655. Not far behind him was Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes, who even led for some of the final qualifying session, and at the chequered flag he set a lap time of 45’970.

Milwaukee Yamaha rider James Ellison set the third fastest lap time, cementing his return to the BSB paddock. It was also a solid qualifying for last years Brands Hatch Indy race winner Jon Kirkham, who on board his Buildbase BMW bike made it to fourth place on the time-sheets.

Byrne’s team-mate Keith Farmer could not emulate his success from Q2 and finished the session just inside the top five, with Aussie Tyco Suzuki Josh Brookes coming across in sixth.

Qualifying two

Keith Farmer 45’982

Alex Lowes 46’155

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rookie Keith Farmer set the fastest lap of Q2, and even clocked a faster lap time than his team-mate, reigning champ Shane Byrne. Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes rounded up the top three with a time of 46’155.

Lloyds British GBmoto Honda rider Dan Linfoot just edged into Q3, setting the tenth fastest time, but his team-mate Pete Hickman was not so lucky and was the slowest out of the group. Rookie Aussie Josh Waters succumbed to the drop zone on his Milwaukee Yamaha, along with Czech Republic Padgett’s rider Jakub Smrz.

It was also not a good session for the veteran Brits out on the Indy circuit, with Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker, PR Racing Kawasaki’s Karl Harris and both riders from the Bathams garage, Tommy Bridewell and Michael Rutter failing to go forward on to Q3.

ELIMINATED

Chris Walker

Karl Harris

Tommy Bridewell

Jakub Smrz

Matteo Baiocco

Josh Waters

Michael Rutter

Pete Hickman

Qualifying one

Shane Byrne 46’155

Ryuichi Kiyonari 46’397

Milwaukee Yamaha rider Josh Waters made it into Q2 by the skin of his teeth after getting the 18th fastest time in Q1, and narrowly avoided elimination. Former World Superbike racer Jakub Smrz on his Padgett’s bike was loitering in the drop zone for most of the session, but managed to claw his way up the grid to make it into Q2.

It was not good news for the MH Kawasaki team, as both riders Howie Mainwaring and Luke Quigley failed to progress. Danish rider Robbin Harms on his Doodson Motorsport Honda did not have the start he would have wanted for his MCE British Superbike campaign, also Ridersmotorcycles BMW Martin Jessop came close to going through to Q2 but he could not beat Aussie Waters on his BMW machine. It was not a great session for the only woman racing in the BSB championship, as Two Wheel Racing Honda’s Jenny Tinmouth.

ELIMINATED

Martin Jessop

Robbin Harms

Howie Mainwaring

Luke Quigley

Danny Buchan

Aaron Zanotti

Jenny Tinmouth

Lee Costello

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