Byrne under the lap record but Bridewell masters all conditions

Courtesy of BSB British Superbike

Results: Free practice one: 1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:35.379s 2: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.351s 3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.372s 4: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +0.503s 5: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.599s 6: Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +0.892s Free practice two: 1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 1m:53.314s 2: Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.214s 3: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.617s 4: Michael Rutter (Gearlink Kawasaki) +0.851s 5: Jakub Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati) +0.852s 6: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.970s Report: Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne lapped under the existing lap record in the opening free practice session for the Bank Holiday Monday third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, but Tommy Bridewell proved to be the rider for all conditions with consistent performances in both the dry and wet. PBM Kawasaki’s Byrne saved his best for last in the morning session to post a flying lap of the Cheshire circuit in the closing moments of the session to move fastest, with the four-time title-winner 0.351s ahead of Tyco BMW’s Bridewell. Ryuichi Kiyonari is eager to put his bid for a fourth title back on course, setting the third fastest time in the dry on the Buildbase BMW ahead of Stuart Easton on the second PBM Kawasaki. Brands Hatch double race winner James Ellison held fifth place as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider bids to close the six point deficit on Byrne in the standings in Monday’s two races. Rain during the afternoon session spoiled the chances of any improvement in lap times, but Australian Josh Brookes mastered the damp conditions on his Milwaukee Yamaha to head off the challenge of Howie Mainwaring on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki and Bridewell in the final minutes of the session. Byrne played a waiting game to sit out most of the second session, but with just under 15 minutes on the clock he headed out on track to set the sixth fastest time in the wet conditions. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) FP1: 2nd, FP2: 3rd “It has been a good all-round show. We have a really strong package here – at the test last week we found something that made a big, big difference to the bike. At Brands Hatch I was riding at the very limit but we have moved on from that and even in the wet I was able to put in strong, consistent laps so we are not too far away. “In the dry we are on the podium pace, in the wet it can be a bit of a lottery though. I was quickest until the last couple of minutes when Josh Brookes and Howie Mainwaring got in front of me. It is nice to ride with a smile and enjoy it so I think we will soon be battling for wins.”

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