Peter Hickman saved his best until last in the final minute of the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship SUPERPICKS Free Practice session at Snetterton this afternoon, edging ahead by 0.267s to put the FHO Racing BMW back on top.
Championship leader Jason O'Halloran had been leading in the final ten minutes of the session, but Hickman’s last lap gave him the edge at the chequered flag.
Ryan Vickers was another rider to improve on his last lap of the session and that nudged O’Halloran back into third place, marginally ahead of a resurgent Josh Brookes in fourth who had led earlier in the session.
Tarran Mackenzie was fifth fastest, making it both of the McAMS Yamahas in the top five, with Tommy Bridewell eased back into sixth place in the final ten minutes of the opening session.
Glenn Irwin held onto seventh place, ahead of the second VisionTrack Ducati of Christian Iddon, whilst Lee Jackson and Gino Rea completed the top ten.
Danny Buchan returned after sitting out Cadwell Park and he was 12th fastest on the SYNETIQ BMW, meanwhile Kyle Ryde was back on track with Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW, he ended the session in 21st.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, SUPERPICKS Free Practice 1:
1. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 1m:47.978s
2. Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +0.267s
3. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.478s
4. Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.552s
5. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.588s
6. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.676s
7. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.690s
8. Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.785s
9. Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +1.075s
10. Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.082s
11. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +1.095s
12. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.236s
For the full result please click here