Reigning British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill admitted he chickened out of a fast lap in the second of three qualifying sessions at Knockhill but got his head down in the last to claim his third pole position of the year.

Hill, like third place man Josh Brookes, was nervous when light rain peppered the circuit and said he didn't know how hard to push but then, in the final outing after a ten-minute wet practice, he claimed top spot.

“It was tricky for everyone and I did chicken out a bit in the second session when there were a few spots of rain and took it a bit steady. It is difficult to know how hard to push and Josh was pushing hard at the end so I knew I just had to bite the screen and go for it to get the lap in," said Hill.

"It is always hard to judge but the others were pushing hard and with three to a row here it is important to be on the front row. I am happy but not overly confident that the conditions will stay consistent tomorrow but we will be trying to get the Swan Yamaha back on the podium.”