Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari was the only rider to reach the dizzy heights of the 1’29’s during the final MCE British Superbike free practice session at Donington Park.

The Japanese rider lapped a 1’29.887 and was only two tenths off lap record pace at a cold track. Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne upped his game in the final minutes of the outing, and did enough to secure second on the timing-screens – with a 1’30.088.

But Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins experienced a technical problem at McCleans after only one minute out on track. This was a slight blow for the American as he topped the free practice timesheets yesterday, and didn’t complete a single lap this morning.

At first it was Kiyo who blasted his way out of the starting blocks and soared to the top of the sheets with a 1’30.725, only to be toppled by Brookes, who went two tenths faster.

But the formidable Aussie’s reign at the top was short lived, as Byrne knocked an extra tenth out of the bag to show his dominance in the class, with a 1’30.492. But Brookes fought back and in a repeat move by Byrne edged ahead with a one tenth advantage, to regain his place at the top of the sheets, with 30 minutes remaining.

Kiyonari was not down and out and was the first rider to reach the 1’29’s this morning after a 1’29.884 after 20 minutes out on track, and was soon back up at the top of the timesheets.

With eight minutes remaining the rain flags came out at turn one and Westmoreland used this opportunity to go third fastest with a 1’30.285 pushing Byrne down to fourth while he was in the pits.

But as Brookes was pushing hard and on course for his fastest lap of the day he fell unhurt at Redgate. While that was going on another Josh, this time Waters stopped at the Esses with a technical problem, which meant both Tyco machines were back in the garage well before the end of the session.

Elsewhere Westmoreland dropped back to fifth, as the Milwaukee lads went faster. Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Stuart Easton, Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Dan Linfoot and Honda Racing’s development rider Julien Da Costa ended the morning inside the top eight. Last round’s race winner RAF Reserves Honda’s Peter Hickman, and local rider, Halsall Racing’s Jon Kirkham rounded up the top ten.

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