Source: BSB.

John Hopkins might be out of contention for the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown but the American former MotoGP rider is fired up to challenge for victories in the opening round of the Showdown at Assen.

Tyco Suzuki’s Hopkins waited until the final minutes of the second session to knock Ryuichi Kiyonari from the top of the times by just 0.193s.

Championship leader Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne was closing him down in the closing stages as he held third place on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki as he continues the ‘War for Four’ title battle with Kiyonari.

“I’ve now got to push hard at every round and at every race to try and win the title,” Kiyonari said. “Today I was not fast, enough, but I am happy as the other riders had tested here after Cadwell Park. I think we can improve again tomorrow.”

Byrne said: “It has been pretty good for us today, because we had the test here and we had a couple of ideas for direction with the setting. We have gone in two different directions in the two sessions today.

“We have a good idea of what we need to do, because we have a structured plan for the sessions based on what we learnt at the test. If we follow that and keep moving forward then we will be in a good position to attack for those wins in the two races in Sunday.”

Chris Walker, four times the runner-up in the championship, set the fourth fastest time on the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki, to be just ahead of fellow title contender Dan Linfoot riding the Quattro Plant Kawasaki.

Milwaukee Yamaha’s two title-chasing riders Tommy Bridewell and Josh Brookes had a tough opening day on circuit as they pushed to close in on their rivals. Bridewell held seventh and Brookes was ninth after the opening two sessions, something they need to change tomorrow in qualifying as they bid for a debut title.

Hopkins’ teammate Josh Waters was 12th, Jed Metcher 20th on debut with PR Racing Kawasaki and Mitchell Carr (TAG Racing Kawasaki) 28th in his continued comeback from injury.

Graeme Gowland is ready to battle with his Smiths Triumph team-mate Billy McConnell for the lead in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship after strong performances in both free practice sessions.

Gowland ran second fastest to title outside Alastair Seeley, aboard the MarTrain Yamaha, though by only 0.084s in the morning session but he upped the tempo next time out with a scorching in the closing minutes to go 0.615secs faster than the rest.

McConnell, who takes a single point lead into the races over Gowland, ran seventh fastest in the first session, three quarters of a second down on his teammate, and the Aussie fared little better in the faster afternoon session, though he was third fastest overall.

In the Motostar qualifying session, Red Bull Rookies regular Olly Simpson rode his privateer KTM to the sixth quickest time in the session led by Bo Bendsneyder.

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