Championship leader Luke Stapleford set out his stall for the weekend early as he powered to the top of the Supersport FP1 timesheets this morning.
The Scars-Racing Ducati rider, who arrived at Donington Park 69 points ahead of Jack Kennedy in the championship, clocked the best lap in the closing minutes of the opening session.
His 1min 30.638sec lap was enough to keep him 0.196secs clear of Oli Bayliss, who was second at the flag as Kennedy rounded out the top three, 0.332secs adrift of Stapleford.
Kennedy’s Honda Racing UK team-mate Dean Harrison was fourth with Josh Whatley fifth.
Cam Swain took charge in the Cup, ending the session p20 overall with Keo Walker second in class and Ben Tolliday third.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, FP1:
1. Luke Stapleford (Scars-Racing Ducati) 1min 30.638s
2. Oli Bayliss (Triumph Macadam Factory Racing) +0.196s
3. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +0.332s
4. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) +0.730s
5. Josh Whatley (XMT Racing) +0.892s