Shane 'Shakey' Byrne kicked off the opening session of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship official test at Snetterton by topping the times despite a crash at Riches in the final five minutes.

Byrne had climbed to the top of the times on the PBM Kawasaki but a last stint crash put the defending champion out of the final moments of the session, although he was able to walk away unhurt.

Byrne had held the advantage over Milwaukee Yamaha's Josh Brookes as he moved ahead of Jakub Smrz who had been running second during the early part of the session for the Moto Rapido Ducati squad.

Championship leader James Ellison was fourth fastest for JG Speedfit Kawasaki as he edged ahead of Jason O'Halloran on the Honda Racing Fireblade with Oulton Park race-winner Stuart Easton holding sixth place. The session marked the return of his team-mate Dan Linfoot who was back on circuit following his recovery from a broken wrist sustained at Brands Hatch.

Danny Buchan was the fastest of the Be Wiser Kawasakis in seventh ahead of Christian Iddon, Howie Mainwaring and Josh Waters who completed the top ten.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton official test, session one:

Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:48.704s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.104s
Jakub Smrz (Moto Rapido Ducati) +1.194s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.260s
Jason O'Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.664s
Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +1.994s
Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +2.281s
Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki) +2.363s
Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +2.384s
Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki) +2.728s