Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne was the quickest rider under the rain clouds, during the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at a rather damp Silverstone circuit.
The Panigale racer lapped a 2’28.236 to go P1 on the sheets, followed by fellow showdown contender, Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon. Byrne was the only rider to set a sub 1’29 time, with Iddon one second off the time completed by the reigning champ.
Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha’s Josh Brookes will be hoping to secure his place in the top six this weekend, and had a strong start in the first session, going third fastest with a 2’30.413. Most of the riders completed an average of nine laps during the session, with Brookes and Iddon putting down 11 rotations respectively.
Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot went P4, with McAMS Yamaha’s James Ellison completing the top five. The Cumbrian still has a mathematical chance of making it into the showdown. JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam clocked a 2’32.912 to go sixth, with his returning team-mate, Luke Mossey going three seconds slower this morning, but still managed a time inside the top eight.
Mossey had to miss the last round at Cadwell Park due to injuries sustained during a big crash at Thruxton. Gearlink Kawasaki’s James Westmoreland and RAF Reserves Kawasaki’s Jake Dixon rounded up the top ten.
Former British Supersport champ, Luke Stapleford is stepping in for the crocked Billy McConnell in the FS-3 Racing team this weekend. The World Supersport rider finished the session in 20th.One rider making his BSB debut this weekend is Dean Harrison. The Silicone Engineering Racing rider jumped on-board his ZX-10RR and braved the wet conditions to end FP1 in 18th on the timing-screens.
