Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki's Shane Byrne has taken charge in the second MCE British Superbike test session at Snetterton this lunchtime but has Alex Lowes still nipping at his heels.
Byrne dropped his laptime to a 1'49.488 with Samsung Honda's Lowes on a 1'49.720. Last year's pole time, set by Josh Brookes who is in Australia and not taking part today, is not in danger yet at 1'48.490 but there is still time this afternoon.
Buildbase BMW's James Westmoreland closed to the gap to the leaders with his 1'50.424 while Jakub Smrz was also faster than this morning. The Czech-born Padgett's Honda man was fractionally slower on a 1'50.714 while James Ellison was fifth quickest on a 1'50.899.
Keith Farmer and Dan Linfoot were next along with Chris Walker in eighth and Lee Jackson, on a Superstock BMW, in ninth despite a crash. Peter Hickman rounded out the top ten with a 1'52.232 lap.
