Smiths Triumph’s Graeme Gowland went under Christian Iddon’s Motorpoint British Supersport lap record by over half a second in today’s free practice sessions at Knockhill.
The Northumbrian posted a lap of 49.450 seconds, the first ever sub 50 second lap time by a middleweight machine at the Scottish circuit. Gowland’s Smiths Triumph teammate Billy McConnell also went under the lap record but the Adelaide rider was three tenths adrift of Gowland’s pace.
Profile Triumph’s Luke Stapleford and Luke Mossey also put down a strong marker for the weekend, joining Gowland and McConnell with lap times beneath the 50 second barrier.
TAG Triumph’s Sam Hornsey ended the session six tenths shy of Gowland as he looks to build on his best ever Supersport finish from two weeks ago. Mar-Train Yamaha’s Alistair Seeley was 0.789 seconds off of Gowland’s pace as the Northern Irishman looks to recover from a warm-up lap crash last time out at Snetterton.
Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin ended the session seventh quickest. The Carrickfergus rider salvaged two top six finishes at Snetterton despite breaking his ankle in a football match a week before. Now at full fitness, the Northern Irishman will be keen to reassert himself in the championship fight.
Acumen Triumph’s Luke Jones was just under a second behind the pace setter, ahead of Appleyard Macadam’s Jake Dixon who completed just four laps this morning due to a blow up. Dean Hipwell rounded out the top ten.
