As the Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns to Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park this weekend the home fans had something to celebrate in the opening SUPERPICKS Free Practice session as local hero Peter Hickman held on to the top spot, holding off a resurgent Josh Brookes.
The FHO Racing BMW team, also based in nearby Louth, had moved to the top with just under ten minutes remaining, with today’s combined SUPERPICKS Free Practice times deciding the top 12 riders who progress directly to Q2 tomorrow.
An incredibly close opening SUPERPICKS Free Practice saw the top 13 riders covered by just 0.955s and four different manufacturers inside the top five.
A frantic end to the session ensued as Brookes moved ahead with under three minutes to go, but Hickman was on another flying lap and just seconds later, he regained the position.
Brookes was able to hold second at the chequered flag on the leading VisionTrack Ducati as Ryan Vickers launched himself into third place for the RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki team in the final moments.
Tommy Bridewell was fourth fastest after becoming the fifth different race winner of the season last time out at Donington Park, just ahead of championship leader and another locally based rider, Jason O'Halloran.
Lee Jackson had been fastest with 15 minutes remaining, but Lincolnshire’s fastest plumber later dropped to sixth place with the final surge of fast laps in the closing stages. He held off Christian Iddon, with Glenn Irwin and Bradley Ray next and separated by just 0.001s!
Andrew Irwin completed the top ten despite a technical problem at the end of the session on the sole SYNETIQ BMW as teammate Danny Buchan remains sidelined after suffering concussion in a crash at Donington Park last weekend.
Bennetts BSB debutant Tim Neave who is deputising for the injured Danny Kent was 23rd for Buildbase Suzuki, whilst James Hillier who stands in for Kyle Ryde after his crash in testing last night was 26th for Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, SUPERPICKS Free Practice 1:
1. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 1m:26.623s
2. Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.254s
3. Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki) +0.305s
4. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.452s
5. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.571s
6. Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.597s
7. Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.610s
8. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.631s
9. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.632s
10. Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.735s
For the full session result please click here