Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari topped the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at a dry Cadwell Park, after his best time of a 1’28.098. The triple-champ got the better of Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne – by three tenths, and also Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes, to head the sheets this morning.
King of the mountain Brookes was the first rider to top the timesheets with a flying 1’30.639, on the 40 minute mark. But mere seconds later Kiyonari went 0.2 seconds quicker to edge ahead of the Australian. But Byrne was not holding back and a 1’29.113 was enough to place him second fastest with 30 minutes remaining. Brookes soon fought back and regained second on the timing-screens after a 1’28.885 rotation.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Dan Linfoot was matching the place of the leading trio, and went one tenth quicker than Byrne to nab third with a handful of minutes remaining. In the end the Northerner fell back to fourth after he couldn’t improve on his best lap of 1’28.930. Halsall Racing’s Jon Kirkham put down an impressive time of 1’28.951 to complete the top five.
Brookes tried a final flying lap but could not better his 1’28.829, and had to settle for a time that was five tenths slower than championship leader, Byrne. The returning injured rider’s contingent of GBmoto Kawasaki's James Ellison, and Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland bravely made it around the Lincolnshire track, with Ellison rounding up the top ten with his best lap of 1’29.757. The Kendal lad is recovering from a broken leg, but still managed a top ten time.
Westmoreland is making his return to the Buildbase outfit after having some time out after breaking his thumb at Knockhill. He ended the morning 11th fastest overall, after a 1’29.779, just behind Ellison, Milwaukee Yamaha’s Tommy Bridewell and RAF Reserves Honda’s Peter Hickman.
Alstare Junior Team’s Christophe Ponsson crashed at Coppice, but was declared OK at the track side. The session was temporarily red flagged as the Bimota needed to be recovered and taken back to the pits.
The young Frenchman was not the only rider to take a tumble – Millsport Ducati’s Jakub Smrz fell at the Chicane and was taken to the medical centre as a precaution. Batham’s BMW’s Michael Rutter was missing from the time-sheets as he is away competing in the Manx GP, but will be back for the free practice and qualifying sessions tomorrow.
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