Triple title-winner Shane 'Shakey' Byrne set the pace in the opening sessions on track this morning at Almeria as the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team began their first test of 2014 at Almeria in Spain.

The first sessions of the morning saw Byrne head the top of the timesheets as Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki's James Ellison continued to build on their previous test at Cartagena by posting the second fastest time.

Ellison had split the Rapid Solicitors Kawasakis with Stuart Easton third fastest as he continues his preparations to return to the Superbike grid after lifting last year's Motorpoint British Supersport Championship title.


This morning also marked Quattro Plant Kawasaki's first sessions on track in Spain after an initial shakedown at Mallory Park last week, with Dan Linfoot and Howie Mainwaring making themselves comfortable as they continue their build up to the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch.

Martin Jessopp and the RidersMotorcycles BMW team are also back on track today whilst SBK City Racing's Rhalf Lo Turco has made his debut in Spain, having his first shakedown as he gets set for his debut season.

Almeria test, morning sessions:

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:38.787s
James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.587s
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.707s
Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +1.243s
Martin Jessopp (RidersMotorcycles BMW) +1.283s
Rhalf Lo Turco (SBK City Racing) +6.767s

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