Tyco Suzuki team manager Philip Neill remains realistic in his approach to this weekend’s triple header British Superbike Championship weekend at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The Ulsterman was honest in his summing up, despite both John Hopkins and Josh Waters finishing today’s Free Practice 2 inside the top-10 during the opening sessions of round seven at the Cheshire venue.

Said Neill:

“As much as our optimum goal is to be back on the podium and of course trying to replicate Josh’s fantastic win from Brands Hatch on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000, we must be realistic in our approach this weekend.

“It’s no secret that we’ve had a tough opening half of the year, but we always look to take the positives away from every weekend, and although at times it may not look so great on the outside – we know through fact and previous performances at all BSB circuits – the GSX-R1000 package is good enough to be competitive all year.

“Our goal is to continue to work towards the sharp-end of the championship and going by the opening sessions here this weekend, both John and Josh look a lot more comfortable than our last visit to Oulton Park. It’s a matter of not standing still and qualifying well tomorrow to give ourselves the best possible chance in the opening race of three this weekend.”

Hopkins finished FP1 in fifth place and FP2 just one position lower in sixth. Waters was 10th in FP2 as the top-10 riders were covered by just over one second.

Oulton Park Saturday Schedule:

9.35am – BSB Free Practice 3.
12pm – BSB Qualifying.
1.05pm – British Supersport Qualifying.
4pm – BSB Race 1 [16 laps].
4.45pm – British Supersport Race 1 [10 laps].

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