Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes set the fastest time of the MCE British Superbike weekend so far – a 1’35.356 and was a tenth under lap record pace during the final free practice session at Oulton Park this morning.
Brookes has already won at this circuit this season, and already looks confident on board his Yamaha. His team-mate Tommy Bridewell replicated his older colleagues pace, and was the second fastest racer out on track, after a hot lap of 1’35.799.
Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari appeared to rider to beat, after he held firm at the top of the timesheets for most of the 45 minute session, only for the Milwaukee camp to go even quicker, just as the chequered flag appeared.
At the beginning of the session it was Brookes who was the fastest rider on track with a 1’36.169, only for Kiyonari to blast on ahead, with a super quick 1’35.823 rotation after 20 minutes.
Hickman was also on the pace, and was in the top three for most of the session, and was only four tenths off Brookes' best lap with ten minutes remaining. Milwaukee Yamaha’ Tommy Bridewell was improving on his pace from yesterday and edged ahead of Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki's Shane Byrne on the sheets on the 12 minute mark, with a 1’36.570.
But Byrne appeared to have woken up and went second fastest after 30 minutes – with a 1’36.143, but was still four tenths off Kiyo’s best lap. Meanwhile Halsall Racing’s Jon Kirkham came from just outside the top ten to nudge Bridewell back down to fifth with less than a handful of minutes remaining, with a 1’36.212, but seconds later he fell at Old Hall, but was declared OK at the trackside.
The Milwaukee Yamaha contingent were not holding back and both Brookes and Bridewell went even quicker than the Japanese triple champ to take the spoils. Byrne had to settle for fourth fastest, followed by Kirkham, Bathams BMW’s Michael Rutter, Hickman and GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker.
Millsport Ducati’s Jakub Smrz and Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Dan Linfoot rounded up the top ten. Anvil Hire Tag Racing’s substitute rider, Glen Richards ended the morning in a respectable 12th place on the sheets, with his temporary team-mate Scott Smart in 22nd.
