Kyle Ryde took the advantage after the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice times at Brands Hatch today, bouncing back from a crash at Sheene Curve during the afternoon to lead the title contenders into tomorrow’s BikeSocial Sprint race.
Ryde had displaced Peter Hickman from the top of the times as the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team rider had set the initial pace before a red flag interruption when Charlie Nesbitt crashed out unhurt.
When the session resumed the conditions had continued to improve and Ryde wasted no time in pushing to the top of the times as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider bids to retain the title for the team on Sunday.
Glenn Irwin had been sitting in 12th before the red flag, but when the session resumed he launched the BeerMonster Ducati into third place ahead of Christian Iddon on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati.
Championship leader Tommy Bridewell held a top five position at the end of the opening day with McAMS Yamaha in sixth place with title contenders Jason O'Halloran, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes.
Max Cook held ninth despite a crash at Clearways in the final minute for Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki and Jack Kennedy. Ryan Vickers and Luke Mossey completed the top 12 who progress through to eBay Qualifying 2 tomorrow.
Leon Haslam meanwhile had a challenging start to the weekend as the title-contending ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider ended the opening day in 22nd position.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Combined Free Practice times:
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 1m25.757s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +0.331s
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.466s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.678s
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.692s
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.714s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.724s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing Motorrad) +0.980s
- Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.988s
- Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) +1.052s
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +1.290s
- Luke Mossey (Tactix by Lloyd and Jones) +1.322s
For the full session result please click here