Source: BSB.

Tommy Bridewell fired in a late scorcher to out-gun series leader Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne in the opening free practice for Sunday’s sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at the high-speed Thruxton circuit.

The top 16 riders were covered by an incredible 0.994s ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session.

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Bridewell has just returned from competing in last Sunday’s Suzuka Eight Hour race in Japan and he fired in a stunning time of 1m15.845s late on in the second session. However Byrne responded instantly, closing within 0.039s of Bridewell in the final minutes.

Bridewell, based in nearby Devizes, was delighted with his performance at a circuit on which he has not had enjoyed good results in previous years.

“We have worked on the setting of the bike and it is working out just perfect,” he said. “The bike feels really strong and the engine is fast so I am just enjoying my riding. Now we have to keep working hard and pushing ready for the races as that is what is important, but it is nice to be fastest today.”

Byrne in contrast has a strong pedigree at the Hampshire circuit, including a win double last year, and though he finished the day second. He said: “I absolutely love riding this circuit, it’s a bit like the M25, fast, flowing and wide and while we still have things to try, I’m feeling good. We had new brake discs to try and my first flying lap of the morning was actually faster than my fastest race lap of last year so that was a good starter.”

Michael Rutter set the third fastest time on the Bathams BMW, just eclipsing the Czech Republic rider Jakub Smrz on the Millsport Ducati and Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari, who like Byrne, is chasing a record fourth British title.

Dan Linfoot, riding for the Bournemouth-based Quattro Plant Kawasaki team and Peter Hickman on the RAF Reserves Honda eased Aussie Josh Brookes on the second Milwaukee Yamaha back into eighth place.

Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki’s Chris Walker and Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki’s Richard Cooper completed the top 10 in a closely fought session.

Josh Waters, the winner of the wet second race last time out at Brands Hatch, was 16th fastest on his Tyco Suzuki, but still less than a second off Bridewell.

Martrain Yamaha’s Alastair Seeley hit the top of the times in the opening free practice session for the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Thruxton, firing ahead of the Smiths Racing Triumphs.

Seeley started the morning third fastest but in the afternoon session he upped his pace to edge out his championship rivals with Graeme Gowland just ahead of Billy McConnell at the chequered flag.

Luke Mossey on the Techcare Profile Triumph held the fourth fastest time as he held off Evo contender Alex Olsen, who impressively was fifth on the timesheets before a crash at the end of the session.

In Superstock 1000 qualifying Jason O’Halloran was third, with David Johnson seventh, while Levi Day was also solid in Superstock 600s in third. Benjamin Currie was 22nd and James Mutton 27th.

2014 MCE British Superbike Championship
Round six – Thruxton

Friday Superbike practice results:
1. Tommy Bridewell 1m15.845
2. Shane Byrne 1m15.884
3. Michael Rutter 1m15.938
4. Jakub Smrz 1m16.044
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari 1m16.208
6. Dan Linfoot 1m16.310
7. Peter Hickman 1m16.352
8. Josh Brookes (AUS) 1m16.487
9. Chris Walker 1m16.494
10. Richard Cooper 1m16.500
17. Josh Waters (AUS) 1m17.001

Click here for detailed results