Samsung Honda rider Alex Lowes topped the MCE British Superbike free practice session for a second time today. The Lincolnshire rider clocked at time of 1’16.412, and eclipsed the time he set in the wet and windy conditions this morning.
Rookie Tyco Suzuki rider P.J Jacobsen, with eight minutes left remaining of the session soared up the time sheets and ended the free practice in second, with an impressive time of 1’16.706. But not far behind the American was current BSB champion Shane Byrne who did lead the session, until Lowes powered through with fifteen minutes to go.
The second and final free practice of the day was not without some drama. The session was red flagged when Halsall Racing Kawasaki’s Lee Costello crashed at Village. He was taken to the medical centre, but has been declared fit to race.
Before the red flag Lowes had been setting the fastest times, and continued to do so when the practice laps resumed. Tyco Suzuki rider Josh Brookes was pipped to the post in the final minutes by his young team-mate PG Jacobsen, but the Aussie remained in the top five throughout the 45 minutes.
Thruxton debutant Padgett’s Honda rider Jakub Smrz had a solid session around the track, considering this was his first dry lap time at the circuit, and set a time of 1’17.014. Another rookie rider Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Waters braved the cold and windy weather and finished seventh.
But it was the veteran racers who remained in the top ten fastest times in the second session this afternoon. Bathams Honda’s Michael Rutter was battling with the rookies and factory machines and at one point was third fastest, before the session was stopped because of a red flag.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker did not make it out for the first wet practice this morning, but made up for it this afternoon, setting a time of 1’17.555. Buildbase BMW riders Jon Kirkham and James Westmoreland rounded off the top ten at Thruxton this afternoon.
