Two-time Macau GP champion Peter Hickman took provisional pole for Saturday’s race with a 2’25.429 today which put him the business end of a second ahead of veteran Michael Rutter with former Moto3 star Danny Webb in third.

Hickman and Rutter are both in Aspire-Ho Bathams colours but the Lincolnshire rider is on a BMW S1000RR while Rutter has brought an RC213V-S and he had taken the first practice honours.

"It was a nice clean qualifying session, and Smiths Racing have given me a great set up here. The bike feels good, I feel good, and it was great to be duelling with my Aspire Ho / Bathams Racing teammate, Michael Rutter in the early parts of the session. We've both come here hoping to put the team on the top step, and we've made a strong start today," said Hickman.

Rutter managed a 2’26.378 while Webb, on the Penz13.com BMW, was 1.6s further back on a 2’28.010. Martin Jessopp took his PBM Ducati to fourth with a 2’28.746 while a late charge from Gary Johnson saw him claim fifth place.

Horst Saiger ended in sixth and 3.4s in arrears with David Johnson sixth. Derek Shiels finished the session in seventh place, one ahead of TT legend John McGuinness on the second PBM Panigale. Didier Grams completed the top ten.