James Ellison stormed to the top of the times in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice session this morning on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

The Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki waited until the final ten minutes of the session to topple home favourite Shane 'Shakey' Byrne from the top, as the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider got nudged back to second in the closing stages.

Milwaukee Yamaha's Josh Brookes held the third fastest time as he prepares to close the deficit to rival Byrne this weekend, the Australian contender feeling confident having scored four of the last five victories on the Grand Prix circuit.

The second Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki of Chris Walker stole fourth place, he had hit the top spot earlier in the session but later dropped down the order with the final improvements as the time ticked down.

Ryuichi Kiyonari proved he is going to carry his Knockhill winning momentum into Brands Hatch with the Buildbase BMW rider holding fifth ahead of John Hopkins who edged out Tommy Bridewell for sixth place in the first session.

Millsport Ducati made it five manufacturers in the top ten in eighth position in the hand of Jakub Smrz whilst Stuart Easton and Richard Cooper completed the top ten ahead of the second session this afternoon.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, free practice one:

James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 1m:26.978s
Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.385s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.474s
Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.496s
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.505s
John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +0.621s
Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.913s
Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +0.963s
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +1.136s
Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +1.295s



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