OMG Suzuki’s Luke Mossey believes the team will be a serious threat to this year’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship after ending the day third quickest at Silverstone.

It followed an equally impressive first run for team-mate Josh Elliott, who had ended FP1 in second place before slipping to ninth in the final run of the day, a mere 0.261s behind Mossey.

And now the former factory Kawasaki rider admits the season is looking bright with his new team, and is convinced they can upset the applecart this year.

“Josh has been riding really well, all through pre-season testing he was actually quicker than me so I think he’s going to be a bit of a dark horse,” he told Bikesport News.

I think me, Josh and the whole OMG Racing team are going to be a real threat this year for the championship.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. This is the result of everyone working so hard over the winter, the boys have built us a great bike.

“We still have a number of things we need to improve on but it’s all going in the right direction which is the main thing.”

Mossey suffered a torrid season in 2018, ending the year 15th overall with a best finish of fifth at the season-opener.

But after his strong start in the Silverstone sunshine today, he revealed he feels happier than he has in a long time, something which he puts down to the atmosphere in his new team.

“It’s a nice refreshing start coming to the OMG team, it’s only their second year so they’re all enthusiastic,” he said. “I’m back with Jonny Gill, Ray Stringer, all the guys I was at Kawasaki with from 2015 to 17 so it’s been a bit like coming to a team I already sort of know.

“The owners are great, really welcoming and it’s just a nice place to be.

“We had a real tough year last year so to be back with a bang today, is great. I know it’s only free practice but you’ve got to start somewhere and we’re back at the front where we need to be.

“We have got a good starting point where want to build on for tomorrow and I’m really confident .”