Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill maintained his position at the top of the timesheets at Donington Park this afternoon as he held off the challenge from John Hopkins on the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki to head the Title Fighters on the opening day of the Showdown.

Hill said:

"It was a good start to the weekend for the Swan Yamaha team as nobody knew exactly what to expect coming back here after a break of a couple of years. We did a short test here but only did about 15 laps but we knew we were in a good position ahead of the weekend. We have been comparing our times to the WSB round earlier in the year and we are already faster which shows the level of competition here in BSB. We know everyone is going to be moving forward and we still have some tweaks to make tomorrow from both me and the bike so we are feeling good for qualifying."

Michael Laverty had set the early pace in the session from Josh Brookes, before Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and then Hill exchanged places at the top of the times. At the halfway point again Byrne went fastest, but it was a short spell at the top as Hopkins charged ahead again.

Laverty then went fastest with 20 minutes remaining of the session from Hill and Hopkins but in the final five minutes Hill returned to the top of the times from an improving Hopkins to push Laverty to third. Byrne dropped to fourth but it was a disappointing end to the session for Title Fighter Josh Brookes who crashed out at Redgate unhurt with three minutes to go and had to settle for sixth behind Jon Kirkham.

Graeme Gowland again impressed on the WFR Honda as the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo contender outpaced Peter Hickman on the Tyco Honda for eighth with Barry Burrell on the Buildbase BMW inside the top ten in the final stages as Glen Richards completed the top ten. Gary Mason on the 2012 specification MSS Colchester Kawasaki was twelfth fastest as the final Title Fighter Ryuichi Kiyonari struggled in 20th.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, free practice two:

Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 1m:29.151s
John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +0.548s
Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.749s
Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +1.074s
Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +1.732s
Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +1.735s
Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +1.858s
Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +2.017s
Barry Burrell (Buildbase BMW) +2.554s
Glen Richards (WFR Honda) +2.599s

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