Tom Sykes was quickest on Friday at Silverstone.

Blazing sunshine welcomed the eni FIM Superbike World Championship riders in Friday’s opening qualifying session at Silverstone.

Despite a late crash at turn one, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) stole the show courtesy of an impressive 2m05.355 lap-time.

Apart from the leader, competition on track was very close – riders from second to 12th place were all within six tenths of each other.

Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) ended up an impressive second followed by Moscow Raceway pole-sitter Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) and Pata Honda duo of Jonathan Rea and fresh Suzuka 8 Hours winner Leon Haslam.

Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) was far back in ninth, behind team mate Eugene Laverty, Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet).

Tough luck for for Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), as the rider from Rome lost control of his RSV4 at turn 13 and finished 15th.

Mark Aitchison returned to the fold as the lone Australian aboard a Pedercini Kawasaki, winding up 16th.

In World Supersport, Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) was the fastest rider in first qualifying.

The reigning champion broke into the 2m08 seconds barrier with few minutes left and improved his lap-time again to a final 2m08.823, to edge current championship leader Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) and Riccardo Russo (Puccetti Racing Kawasaki), back on track after missing the Russian round.

British champion Glenn Richards (Smiths Triumph) was top Australian in 15th, while Matt Davies (PTR Honda) was 27th and Mitchell Carr (AARK Racing Triumph) 31st.

Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) set the fastest time in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup first qualifying session.

In Superstock 600, Alessandro Nocco (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) leads qualifying after topping the timesheets the first session at Silverstone.

Adrian Nestorovic (MTM Yamaha) was fourth fastest, Mike Jones (Racedays Honda) concluding Friday in 11th.

Queenslander Zac Levy finished 22nd quickest in the opening practice session of the European Junior Cup.

2013 Superbike World Championship
Round Nine – Silverstone, UK

Superbike qualifying one:
1. Tom SYKES 2m05.355
2. Leon CAMIER 2m06.236
3. Davide GIUGLIANO 2m06.332
4. Jonathan REA 2m06.349
5. Leon HASLAM 2m06.353
6. Eugene LAVERTY 2m06.539
7. Loris BAZ 2m06.553
8. Marco MELANDRI 2m06.590
9. Sylvain GUINTOLI 2m06.656
10. Jules CLUZEL 2m06.718
16. Mark AITCHISON 2m09.126

Click here for detailed results