Shayne Byrne was the fastest on Friday at Knockhill.

Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Alex Lowes went head to head in Friday’s second MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice session at Knockhill.

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Byrne eventually ruled as his Samsung Honda rival crashed towards the end of the session unhurt.

Lowes had been the pace-setter throughout the early part of the session, with the standings leader heading Byrne by just 0.001 seconds with 10 minutes on the clock as the pair fought to end the opening day fastest.

However, in the final minutes Lowes crashed unhurt at the Hairpin which curtailed his chance of improving his time which was capitalised by Byrne who edged ahead in the final two minutes.

“We were a bit on the back foot coming into this round as several other teams had tested here and then a potential problem cut short our first session after half a dozen laps, but the team changed the engines,” Byrne explained.

“It’s been a case of starting fresh, but we are getting there but want more.”

Aussie Josh Brookes moved up the order to third for Tyco Suzuki as he pushed the charging Peter Hickman back to fourth as Lloyds British GBmoto Honda continued to maintain their top five position in the afternoon with James Westermoreland.

ASBK champion Josh Waters rode his Milwaukee Yamaha to the 20th position with a 50.538.

Home hero Stuart Easton carved his way ahead of the opposition in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship free practice sessions as he ended the day fastest for Martrain Yamaha at his home circuit.

Easton had been joint fastest with Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Wilson in the morning session, but as the pace heated up this afternoon the Hawick rider and defending champion Glen Richards swapped places at the top.

The pair continued throughout the session, but Easton had the edge in the final minutes. Richards had been fired up by a crash in the morning, his Smiths Racing Triumph caught fire in the crash and he proved this afternoon he wouldn’t let it faze him.

The Gearlink Kawasaki pairing of Wilson and Alastair Seeley were third and fourth respectively with the second Smiths Racing Triumph of Billy McConnell completing the top five.

Samsung Honda-mounted Australian Jason O’Halloran was 16th quickest to conclude Friday with a 51.578.

David Johnson was fourth fastest in Group A of Superstock 1000 qualifying, while Levi Day shined in the Superstock 600 Group A with the fastest lap. Mark Wilkinson was 11th, James Mutton 17th. Group B saw Richie Leech slot into 11th.

2013 British Superbike Championship
Round four – Knockhill

Superbike practice results:
1. Shane Byrne 48.774
2. Alex Lowes 48.870
3. Josh Brookes (AUS) 49.338
4. Peter Hickman 49.403
5. James Westmoreland 49.525
6. Ryuichi Kiyonari 49.626
7. Dan Linfoot 49.640
8. Jakub Smrz 49.694
9. Howie Mainwaring 49.742
10. PJ Jacobsen 49.764
20. Josh Waters (AUS) 50.538

Click here for detailed results