Moto Rapido Ducati’s John Hopkins pipped Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty to the post in the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at Silverstone this morning, as a last-lap dash paid off for the American as he set a time that was 0.006s off lap record pace.
Hopkins lapped a 2’06.259, going two tenths quicker than Laverty just as the chequered flag appeared. The Wales-based racer set a 2’06.431 and dominated for the majority of the session, but the Showdown racer was knocked back down to second by the former MotoGP man.
Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes rounded up the top three with a 2’06.523, followed by fellow title challenger JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison and PBM Kawasaki’ Shane Byrne. The reigning champ couldn’t push his ZX-10R into the 2’06s and had to settle for fifth overall this morning.
Peter Hickman, Richard Cooper, Jakub Smrz, Howie Mainwaring and LUke Mossey completed the top ten. But at first it was Laverty who was setting the pace with a 2’07.472. The rider continued to progress and with fifteen on the clock went one better, knocking four tenths off his time.
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s newest recruit Luke Stapleford, fresh from completing the Motorpoint British Supersport FP session ended FP1 in eighteenth overall. Danny Buchan is standing in for the injured Stuart Easton on the PBM Kawasaki and finished in P17 on the sheets.
Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari made his return from injury at the historic circuit and the triple-champ was eleventh at the flag. Title fighter, Dan Linfoot ended FP1 in fourteenth for Honda Racing.
Smiths Racing’s Billy McConnell crashed at Stowe but was declared OK at the trackside. Showdown rider, Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell fell unhurt at Club. Buildbase BMW’s Richard Cooper crashed at Luffield with two minutes remaining, but was uninjured.
