Ryuichi Kiyonari claimed the initial advantage in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice session at Silverstone this morning as Tyco Suzuki's John Hopkins spit the 'War for Four' title contenders with Shane 'Shakey' Byrne in third.

The session started with the pair instantly battling for the top and in the early stages Byrne and Kiyonari were split by just 0.001s. Kiyonari held the advantage for a brief spell before his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rival claimed it back and the pair continued to switch positions before the final ten minutes.

Hopkins' final lap of the session saw him jump from fourth to second to split the Title Fighters with Dan Linfoot holding fourth for the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team. Josh Brookes continued to move up the order to hold fifth position to be the fastest of the Milwaukee Yamahas as he pushed ahead of Peter Hickman on the RAF Reserves Honda in the final stages.

Josh Waters was seventh on the second of the Tyco Suzukis as Tommy Bridewell dropped to eighth. James Westmoreland and Stuart Easton completed the top ten with Chris Walker the final six of the Title Fighters in 16th.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, free practice one:

Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 2m:06.628s
John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +0.782s
Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.806s
Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.910s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.340s
Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +1.860s
Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +2.084s
Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +2.105s
James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +2.124s
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.210s



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