Peter Hickman snatched the top spot in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice session at Assen after trading blows with defending champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne for the top spot in the final minute.

The positions changed constantly during the session with Hickman emerging on top at the chequered flag, but only after his last lap as the Smiths Racing BMW rider moved ahead of Byrne who had just taken the place from the Lincolnshire contender.

Earlier in the session Leon Haslam had enjoyed a spell at the top of the times, he ended the session third fastest for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team ahead of Sylvain Guintoli, the Frenchman also running at the top of the timesheets during the session.

Luke Mossey was fifth fastest for JG Speedfit Kawasaki, narrowly ahead of Showdown contender Jason O'Halloran and James Ellison, who crashed out unhurt towards the end of the session. Josh Brookes was eighth fastest for the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha team ahead of Bradley Ray and Glenn Irwin who completed the top ten.

Jake Dixon was the sixth of the title contenders in 14th position.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Assen, Free Practice 1:

1.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 1m:37.247s
2.Shane 'Shakey' Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.145s
3.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.374s
4.Sylvain Guintoli (Bennetts Suzuki) +0.430s
5.Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.467s
6.Jason O'Halloran (Honda Racing) +0.496s
7.James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +0.535s
8.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.546s
9.Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.769s
10.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +1.096s