Profile Triumph’s Luke Stapleford will lead the Motorpoint British Supersport grid into qualifying after topping the free practice timesheets at Brands Hatch.

Stapleford ended the session fastest having posted a lap of 1’28.414, under half a second adrift of Alastair Seeley’s lap record.

Just 0.043 of a second back was Stapleford’s championship rival, Glenn Irwin. Gearlink Kawasaki’s Irwin is level on points with Stapleford in the championship and it appears the duo are all but level going into tomorrow’s qualifying session.

Two tenths further back is Kyle Ryde. CF Motorsport’s Ryde picked up his first British Supersport win at Brands Hatch in April but is yet to show the pace he had then.

Smiths Triumph’s Jake Dixon clinched pole position a year ago but is half a second adrift of Stapleford’s pace, after setting his fastest lap with his last lap.

Northern Irishman Andy Reid ended free practice in a commendable fifth place. The Traction Control rider is still recovering from a broken heel he suffered a month ago at Snetterton.

Having just confirmed his place on the British Grand Prix Moto3 grid, Gearlink Kawasaki’s Luke Hedger was sixth quickest, a second behind Stapleford.

Floridian James Rispoli is seventh fastest, a tenth of a second ahead of Appleyard Macadam’s Danny Webb.

Rounding out the top ten was Sam Hornsey and the top EVO rider, Joe Collier.

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