Tommy Bridewell topped the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship SUPERPICKS Free Practice at Silverstone this afternoon, launching the Oxford Products Racing Ducati to the top of the times, in an incredibly close session where the top 20 riders were covered by 0.988s.
Bridewell set the benchmark in the final 15 minutes of the opening encounter of the weekend, moving ahead of Glenn Irwin who had been heading the pack at the halfway point of the session.
In the final three minutes, championship leader Jason O'Halloran set his fastest lap on the McAMS Yamaha to move second, just ahead of his teammate Tarran Mackenzie.
Peter Hickman was nudged into fourth place by just 0.008s on the FHO Racing BMW as he bids to consolidate his position in the Showdown in the opening BikeSocial Race tomorrow.
Gino Rea had another strong performance for the Buildbase Suzuki team in sixth place, just ahead of defending champion Josh Brookes on the leading VisionTrack Ducati.
Xavi Forés made it both FHO Racing BMWs in the top eight, pushing ahead of Danny Buchan and Christian Iddon, who completed the top ten.
Of the other contenders battling for a Title Fighter position, Lee Jackson was 11th with Ryan Vickers just 0.032s adrift. Rory Skinner held 14th, with Andrew Irwin and Bradley Ray 16th and 17th respectively.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, SUPERPICKS Free Practice 1:
1. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 53.600s
For the full results please click here