Milwaukee Yamaha’s Tommy Bridewell did not expect a front row start for tomorrow’s opening MCE British Superbike race, especially as he only jumped on his bike this week.

The rider set a 1’37.134 in Q3 and that time was enough to place him third fastest behind Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne and pole setter Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes. New team-mate James Ellison was in third place, but Bridewell went one tenth of a second faster and knocked the Cumbrian racer down to the second row.

Bridewell did not have the best of starts to his Assen weekend. In the opening free practice he injured his little finger after a high speed crash, and wants to help his team-mate as much as he can during the double header tomorrow.

“It feels great to be on the front row but it hasn’t been an easy weekend because I could have done without crashing first time out yesterday. The team have beared with me so I need to thank them for that; I knew we could then get it sorted come race day,” said Bridewell.

“It was unexpected to be on the front row; the Milwaukee Yamaha is a phenomenal package but it is different to what I have been used to so I was unsure how long it would take me to adjust. I am really looking forward to the races and mixing it up with the Showdown riders and getting stuck into them.

“I want to help James as much as I can in the races so I will do my best for Milwaukee Yamaha to fight for the title. Whatever it takes I will help him and the fun will start tomorrow.”