Source: BSB.

Josh Brookes proved that he is on the ascendancy in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as he set the pace in the opening free practices at Thruxton in another pair of incredibly close sessions where the top 17 riders were separated by just 0.931s.

The Milwaukee Yamaha rider had the edge over his rivals in both sessions as he looks to build on his winning double of the previous round at Brands Hatch which moved him to within five points of the series-leading, four-time champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

Brookes had been closed down in the afternoon session by American contender John Hopkins as the former MotoGP ace slashed the advantage, firing the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati to within 0.161s of his Australian rival.

Meanwhile Byrne was 12th in the second session, but despite holding eighth place on the combined times, the four-time champion was unfazed and believes he has more pace over race distance.

Richard Cooper maintained his form from Brands Hatch by posting the third fastest time ahead of James Westmoreland on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki, rookie Luke Mossey and Christian Iddon completed the top six in a top ten featuring five different manufacturers.

Australian Billy McConnell (Smith’s Racing BMW) was seventh, with countrymen Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki) 14th, Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) in 17th and Jed Metcher (PR Racing Kawasaki) down the order in position 30.

Adam Jenkinson joined the Milwaukee Yamaha team from the second session, deputising for Broc Parkes who was suffering further arm-pump problems, set the 15th fastest time.

David Johnson made another appearance in Superstock 1000 for Smith’s Racing BMW and ended proceedings third, while in the Superstock 600 category Benjamin Currie (PacedayZ Trackdays Yamaha) was fifth fastest.

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