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Brands BSB: Hopkins chases Byrne in first session

Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne went three tenths under lap record pace, during the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at the Brands Hatch GP track.

But the reigning champion was pushed hard by the Panigale of Moto Rapido Ducati’s John Hopkins, who was only 0.3 seconds slower than the red bike of Byrne.

The Be Wiser backed rider lapped a 1’25.106, with Hopkins setting a 1’25.439. Smiths Racing’s Peter Hickman was another rider up the sharp end and gained pace throughout FP1.

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The road racing star put down a fast 1’25.629 to go third quickest. JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam appeared to have some issues with his ZX-10RR, as he was over one second off the pace of Byrne after completing 15 laps.

His team-mate, Luke Mossey, who currently leads the series was eighth fastest, just ahead of McAMS Yamaha’s James Ellison and RAF Reserves Jake Dixon.

Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha’s Josh Brookes went P4 on the sheets, followed by the Honda pairing of Jason O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot. Only 0.01 seconds separated the team-mates this morning, with Aussie O’Halloran just pipping the Northerner to the post.

FS-3 Racing’s Billy McConnell was also in the mix and finished the outing well inside the top ten in seventh. There were some returning rider’s in the opening session, most notably, Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon and Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin.

The rider’s had to miss the last round at Snetterton due to injury, but both have been passed fit to ride by medical staff. Iddon ended the morning in 12th, with Irwin in 20th on the timing-screens.

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