PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne has topped the opening MCE British Superbike test session despite crashing unhurt at Riches with ten minutes left on the clock.
Byrne best lap of 1’48.704 was a second under the existing race lap record and a second quicker than Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes, who closed the gap to Byrne with his last lap of 1’49.808.
Brookes’ time deposed the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati of Jaub Smrz, who had been second for most of the session, and he ended in third place jjust 0.090s behind the Australian.
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison finished the session in fourth place with a 1’49.964, hopping ahead of Jason O’Halloran on the Honda Racing Fireblade. The Australian is a little over four-tenths off the pace.
Byrne’s team-mate Stuart Easton was next along on a 1’50.698 with Danny Buchan and the recovering Christian Iddon in eighth place. Howie Mainwaring was ninth on a 1’51.088 with Josh Waters completing the top ten.
Dan Linfoot, who is making his return from injury, ended in 16th place with a 1’52.095, just 0.024s behind the second Milwaukee Yamaha of Broc Parkes.
