Reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne topped the second free practice session of the day at Brands Hatch this afternoon as he fired the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ahead of his rivals as he begins his title defence.

Samsung Honda's Alex Lowes had set the early pace from his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari and the Lincolnshire rider claimed the second fastest time of free practice two, with returning triple champion fourth on the timesheets.


Bathams Honda marked their return to the Championship with Tommy Bridewell ending the opening day third fastest, displacing Kiyonari in the final ten minutes. Milwaukee Yamaha's James Ellison completed the top five on his return, with team-mate Josh Waters 15th on his debut.

The top ten featured five manufactures with James Westmoreland seventh for Buildbase BMW, just ahead of Karl Harris and Jakub Smrz who lines up for Padgetts Honda this weekend.

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

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 46.787s
Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.086s
Tommy Bridewell (Bathams Honda) +0.309s
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +0.524s
James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.538s
Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.574s
James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.777s
Karl Harris (PR Racing Kawasaki) +0.784s
Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +0.961s
Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.100s



.