Kyle Ryde claimed the top spot in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice at Donington Park for Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha, with his last lap of the session firing him ahead of Josh Brookes in the closing minute.
Ryde had initially sent the benchmark before both Scott Redding and then Brookes moved ahead, but in the final minute the defending champion surged to the top to lead by 0.211s with the Hager PBM Ducati and DAO Racing Honda teams completing the top three.
Ryde’s closest rival Bradley Ray was unable to complete a flying lap in the opening session after a technical problem on the out lap. The 2022 champion, who trails Ryde by two points ahead of this weekend’s four races, will be looking to strike back in this afternoon’s second session.
Danny Kent was fourth fastest for McAMS Racing Yamaha to hold off Charlie Nesbitt as the MasterMac Honda team completed the top five.
Leon Haslam was sixth fastest for Moto Rapido Ducati Racing, holding off Cheshire Mouldings Ducati’s Rory Skinner and Max Cook on the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki. The Irwin brothers completed the top ten, with Glenn narrowly ahead of Andrew.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Free Practice 1 result:
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) 1m:27.943s
- Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +0.211s
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) +0.248s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.318s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +0.528s
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +0.538s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +0.601s
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +0.625s
- Glenn Irwin (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +0.640s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.832s
For the full session result please click here