Profile Triumph’s Luke Stapleford ended the combined Motorpoint British Supersport free practice quickest, eventually ending just under four tenths of a second clear of Smiths Triumph’s Jake Dixon.

Stapleford, still brimming with confidence after his debut double win a fortnight ago, ended the session having posted a 1’17.111, two tenths shy of Alex Lowes’ five year old lap record.

After struggling in the opening half of the session, Dixon quickly got down to the pace of the front runners, 0.389 of a second behind the championship leader.

Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin grabbed third place on the time sheets, just 0.031 of a second behind Dixon. The Northern Irishman will be keen to have a strong weekend after a troublesome Brands Hatch a fortnight ago.

Team Traction Control’s James Rispoli ended fourth quickest, the Floridian was a tenth ahead of an apparently resurgent Ben Wilson.

The Gearlink Kawasaki rider has struggled in the opening half of the year but appears to have the pace to run at the front for the first time this year at Thruxton.

Teenage talent Kyle Ryde sat out half of the session in pit lane with setup issues but still finished the session sixth quickest, ahead of Team Traction Control’s Andy Reid, fresh from a double podium at Brands.

Luke Hedger ended the session eighth quickest, with Sam Hornsey and Danny Webb rounding out the top ten.

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