Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne showed everyone in the MCE British Superbike paddock that he means business this year, by topping the testing timesheets at Donington Park this afternoon but he was pushed hard all the way by Josh Brookes, who spent most of the day in the number one spot.
The former triple champ, who narrowly missed out on an historic fourth title last year, proved that he was comfortable with his bike from 2013, after setting a best time of 1’29.550.
"It was a long session this afternoon and we did pretty much a full race distance and then had time to try one or two other things. I am really happy with the pace we have, running faster than we did in last year's race here. To be back up at that level already is good and I was not out there to finish second! I am fully motivated for the season and can?t wait to get started now as we want that title back," said Byrne.
Milwauke Yamaha's Brookes was setting consistent lap times but it was not enough, and Byrne with his experience onboard the Kawasaki set the quickest time. But Brookes was only 0.1 seconds off the pace Byrne with a 1’29.730, and the pair were the only riders to lap inside the 1’29 barrier.
Millsport Ducati’s Jakub Smrz put in an impressive ride, and ended up third on the timing screens. The former World Superbike contender has never ridden a Panigale before so his time of 1’30.330, means he showed some promise to be a real challenger for podiums this season.
GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker pushed his way through the pack to end the day in fourth, with Buildbase BMW returnee James Westmoreland rounding off the top five with a 1’30.701.
Brookes’ Milwaukee Yamaha team-mate Tommy Bridewell was a second off the pace of the Aussie with a 1’30.928. Last year's Motorpoint British Supersport champion, Stuart Easton had a solid start with his new Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki, and even though he didn’t emulate the times set by his team-mate he was still good enough for a seventh on the timesheets, followed by Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins, fresh from taking a year out from racing – who clocked a 1’31.150.
Ryuichi Kiyonari is adapting to his BMW after spending last year on the Samsung Honda, and ended the afternoon on the Leicestershire circuit with a 1’31.240. GBmoto’s James Ellison completed the top ten. In the first session only one rider from the premier class ventured out on track, because of the damp and foggy conditions. That was Bathams BMW’s Patric Muff.
In the second session more riders made an appearance from the garages. Brookes was the quickest rider in that outing. He was able to hold off the charges from triple champ, Byrne. The Aussie clocked a 1’31.226, with Byrne one tenths of a second behind. Housewives favourite Chris Walker finished the session in third on a drying track, with a 1’32.170. Kiyo and Smrz rounded off the top five.
