Glenn Irwin topped the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice session at Oulton Park, firing his Be Wiser Ducati to the top of the times in the closing stages to push Leon Haslam back into second place.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider had been heading the pack after Haslam had run under the lap record at last week’s official test, but the Ducatis were closing and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne also enjoyed a spell at the top.

A frantic final ten minutes also saw James Ellison leap up to third on the McAMS Yamaha, but Irwin’s final run put him at the top at the chequered flag ahead of Haslam, Ellison and Byrne after a final shuffle with last minute improvements.

Brands Hatch double race winner Luke Mossey was fifth fastest ahead of Josh Brookes on the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha and Jake Dixon who stormed into seventh place for the RAF Reserves Kawasaki team.

Christian Iddon was the leading Tyco BMW in eighth place ahead of Peter Hickman and Billy McConnell who completed the top ten.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Free Practice 1:

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 1m:34.936s
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.132s
James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +0.181s
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.195s
Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.261s
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.570s
Jake Dixon (RAF Reserves Kawasaki) +0.612s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.620s
Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.662s
Billy McConnell (Quattro Plant FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.980s