Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes set the Superbike benchmark time in Assen qualifying.

Early form-runner Alex Lowes has carried over his front-running Friday pace to deny title British Superbike Championship (BSB) title rival Shayne Byrne of pole position at Assen in the Netherlands.

The Samsung Honda rider set the pace with an 1m36.621 effort, comfortably clear of the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki of Byrne, who lapped 0.377s in arrears.

Lowes was pleased with the effort and hoped it would translate to much-needed race wins for the first round of the Title Fighters showdown.

“It went pretty good for me and feels good,” said Lowes. The bike works well here and now it is down to me to put two good races together. I am feeling pretty confident and will give 100 percent and go for it.”

Byrne, who sits six points clear of Lowes on the points ladder, admitted he was surprised by Lowes’ scorching pace.

“I saw my time was in the 1m 36secs and then saw he had gone even faster and I thought how did he do that,” said Byrne.

“I’m happy enough with my race pace and it looks all set for a big battle between us. He is my target and I guess that I am his.”

New Milwaukee Yamaha recruit Tommy Bridewell qualified third, claiming the final spot on the front row in a strong showing for just his first outing with the team.

Row two is made up of the second Milwaukee Yamaha of James Ellison, with Jakub Smrz fifth and Aussie Josh Brookes moving up to the second row.

Brookes was pleased to move forward from his Friday placing of ninth but rued the chance to deliver his best lap for the qualifying session.

“It’s a bit frustrating that we couldn’t match our Q2 time in Q3 but we’ve a few more changes to make for tomorrow’s race and a good start should see me away with the leading group,” said Brookes.

MarTrain Yamaha’s Stuart Easton won the opening Supersport sprint race, securing the win by a 0.621s margin from Oxford Tag Triumph’s Richard Cooper.

Aussie Jason O’Halloran fought his way through the field to claim the third podium placing on his Samsung Honda, with Luke Mossey fourth and Alastair Seeley fifth.

It was a tough outing for both Australian riders in the Smith’s Triumph ranks, with defending champion Glen Richards crashing out of the running and Billy McConnell forced to make an unplanned pitstop which put pay to his race.

Two Superbike races and the feature Supersport showdown will be staged today.

British Superbike Championship
Round 10 – Assen, Netherlands

Superbike qualifying top 10:
1. Alex LOWES 1m36.261
2. Shane BYRNE 1m36.638
3. Tommy BRIDEWELL 1m37.134
4. James ELLISON 1m37.220
5. Jakub SMRZ 1m37.336
6. Josh BROOKES 1m37.723
7. Ryuichi KIYONARI 1m38.105
8. James WESTMORELAND 1m38.307
9. Dan LINFOOT 1m38.391
10. Jon KIRKHAM 1m38.405

Supersport sprint race top 10:
1. Stuart EASTON
2. Richard COOPER +0.621
3. Jason O’HALLORAN +3.192
4. Luke MOSSEY +3.506
5. Alastair SEELEY +5.378
6. Kervin BOS +5.718
7. Glenn IRWIN +18.412
8. Scott SMART +18.643
9. Luke STAPLEFORD +22.038
10. Rob GUIVER +22.586

Click here for detailed results