Source: Supplied.

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne delivered the first blow in the Battle of Brands at the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship by topping the free practice times, leading title rival Josh Brookes by just 0.188s as the pair were split by Howie Mainwaring.

Brookes leads the standings ahead of tomorrow’s opening race on the grand prix circuit and the Australian starts the weekend in the strongest position, however home contender Byrne has the psychological advantage after staying ahead after the two opening free practice sessions in damp conditions.

Closing in on the leading trio in the final session was JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison who is determined to strike back after missing out on the podium twice at the previous round of Silverstone, he held off Richard Cooper and the second Milwaukee Yamaha of Jakub Smrz.

Michael Laverty moved up to seventh for the Tyco BMW team as he pushed Josh Waters and the Bennetts Suzuki squad back to eighth. Former MotoGP contender John Hopkins and the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team made it five manufacturers inside the top ten with rookie Luke Mossey holding 10th spot ahead of tomorrow’s Datatag Qualifying and crucial opening MCE BSB race.

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