The HM Plant Honda team got their home round underway at Cadwell Park today as Shane 'Shakey' Byrne ran second fastest in the dry morning session before finishing the changeable second practice fastest on his return to the Lincolnshire circuit.

Shakey has already secured his position as a Title Fighter in the Showdown and this morning was suffering with an issue after his first run out on circuit that caused him to nearly crash several times on only his third lap. He returned to the pitlane and made changes before getting back out on circuit and setting the second fastest time. Kiyo also began his weekend strongly running fourth fastest in the first session as he continued to build on the test from last week at the circuit.

In the afternoon session the conditions continued to change at the circuit following a heavy rain storm earlier in the day and the track was drying during the second free practice session. Shakey and Kiyo both tested a new swingarm which they believe will be an improvement this weekend as the team aim to continue their run of podium form at their home round. Shakey ended the afternoon session fastest with Kiyo ninth following a crash at the Mountain, although he was unhurt.

Shakey said:

"I didn't go out in the first part of the opening session as the lap times weren't that fast and I just waited before I went out. Literally I had done one out lap and then a flying one before I had the moment at the bottom of the Mountain which was pretty close! I had nearly lost the front three or four times in that lap and I hadn't been pushing hard so something must not have been quite right maybe with the front tyre or something. We came straight back in and changed it over and it was better but I was surprised to have ended that session second fastest to be honest as I didn't feel like I was! After the problems we had in the morning session we knew we had a good direction to try in the dry conditions, but with the way the track conditions changing it wasn’t ideal. We had a new swing arm to test and it felt really good but we don’t know the full extent of the improvement until it is completely dry So far it is so good for me and the HM Plant Honda team; I didn’t go mad so to finish P1 was a bit of a surprise in the second session! It was a steady run around this afternoon and it has been all good so far.”

Kiyo said:

“It is good to be back at Cadwell Park today as this is my home track and last week we tested and we tried very hard to make improvements. Today we made a little step forward and that felt good, but it wasn’t too easy this afternoon to continue so much with changes as the conditions kept changing although it is the same for everyone. It was half wet and half dry and we were working hard with the electronics again and maybe I had too much confidence and just pushed too hard because I crashed at the Mountain. I just exited the bottom and as I got on the power I high-sided which was very disappointing for me to finish the session like that. I am a bit sore but at the same time I have a positive feeling for tomorrow. I don’t know why exactly but I do. I know the track and I know what I need to do in the races and that is to stay inside the top six for the Showdown. We haven’t had any major problems here so I want to have a good race tomorrow.”

Team Manager Havier Beltran concluded:

“It has generally been a positive day for the HM Plant Honda team despite the challenging weather conditions! It wasn’t ideal this afternoon but we have a good understanding of the direction that both riders need for tomorrow ahead of qualifying and the races. Shakey and Kiyo have both tested a new swingarm and believe it has good potential so we are hopeful that with some better weather tomorrow we can make further improvements from there. Both riders are feeling happy and despite Kiyo having a crash this afternoon are ready to challenge for strong finishes in the first race tomorrow”