Jason O’Halloran edged out Glenn Irwin in Bennetts British Superbike Championship SUPERPICKS Free Practice one at Donington Park this afternoon, holding off his rival by 0.033s in an incredibly close session where the top 15 riders were covered by 0.967s.
O’Halloran set the initial benchmark and as the times continued to tumble, Glenn Irwin was closing in as the Honda Racing rider bids to repeat the team’s winning success of last season on the National circuit.
Lee Jackson had a strong end to the session, he moved into third place just ahead of the chequered flag for the FS-3 Kawasaki team, easing Peter Hickman back into fourth place following a strong session for the FHO Racing BMW rider. The top four positions were held by four different teams and as many different manufacturers.
Danny Buchan completed the top five for the SYNETIQ BMW team, finishing the session 0.012s ahead of VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon and a resurgent Josh Brookes. The defending champion has returned to his familiar #25 for this weekend as he bids to fight back this weekend.
Ryan Vickers posted the eighth fastest time on the RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki, holding off BMW contenders Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) and Xavi Forés (FHO Racing BMW), to nudge Tarran Mackenzie just outside the top ten.
Rory Skinner, Gino Rea, Kyle Ryde and Tommy Bridewell completed the top 15, with less than a second covering them from the pace-setting lap ahead of SUPERPICKS Free Practice 2 this afternoon.
The fastest 12 riders on combined times following today’s second SUPERPICKS Free Practice will progress directly into tomorrow’s SUPERPICKS Q2 session.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, SUPERPICKS Free Practice 1:
1. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:06.446s
2. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.033s
3. Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.142s
4. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.394s
5. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.444s
6. Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.456s
7. Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.494s
8. Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki) +0.499s
9. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.512s
10. Xavi Forés (FHO Racing BMW) +0.674s
11. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.758s
12. Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.826s