Michael Laverty launched himself to the top of the times after the opening free practice sessions at Silverstone as the Tyco BMW rider targets his first win of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season.

The pace was fast and furious at Silverstone as the top seven riders, representing four different manufactures, set a pace under the existing lap record at the Northamptonshire circuit. Championship leader Josh Brookes had the initial edge but the Australian was under fire from his closest rivals as they hunted him down.

Laverty waited until the final five minutes of the session to steal the position at the top as the Tyco BMW edged out Brookes by 0.074s as James Ellison leapt into third place for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team. That pushed John Hopkins back into fourth place; the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati rider had topped the opening session and the American continued to improve his pace ahead of Sunday's two races.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne was fifth fastest with his final stint moving him up the order with Luke Mossey on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki splitting the PBM Kawasakis as Danny Buchan impressed on his debut in seventh place.

Honda Racing's Dan Linfoot climbed to eighth ahead of Bennetts Suzuki pairing Christian Iddon and Josh Waters with the final Title Fighter, Tommy Bridewell in 15th place.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Free Practice two:

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 2m:05.370s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.074s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.473s
John Hopkins (Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.476s
Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.533s
Luke Mossey (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.659s
Danny Buchan (PBM Kawasaki) +0.659s
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +1.101s
Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki) +1.382s
Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki) +1.400s