Title Fighter Alex Lowes fired a warning to his rivals this afternoon by ending the second session fastest at Assen as the WFR Honda rider waited until the closing moments to move ahead of Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes whilst defending champion Tommy Hill crashed out of the session unhurt.

Lowes had started the session strongly by setting the pace in the early stages ahead of Michael Laverty on the Samsung Honda; he continued to improve his times but ended the session fourth fastest as he bids to close the 21 point deficit. Australian Brookes moved ahead with just over ten minutes to go but Lowes hit back by edging 0.282 seconds ahead.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne returning from his shoulder injury this weekend was third fastest on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki after topping the opening session, with Jakub Smrz again proving he has already got to grips with the Splitlath Redmond Racing Aprilia in fifth.

It was a nightmare session for the Swan Yamaha team as Tommy Hill crashed out unhurt at turn seven with just over ten minutes remaining to end the session ninth whilst Noriyuki Haga suffered a technical problem that sidelined him for the final half of the second free practice.

Buildbase BMW's Barry Burrell improved his pace to move inside the top ten in sixth ahead of Patric Muff and Luca Scassa on the leading Padgetts Honda as Ian Lowry crashed out unhurt. Chris Walker completed the top ten whilst the final Title Fighter Tommy Bridewell was twelfth fastest.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Assen, free practice two:

Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) 1:37.893s
Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.282s
Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.572s
Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +0.868s
Jakub Smrz (Splitlath Redmond Racing) +0.950s
Barry Burrell (Buildbase BMW) +1.071s
Patric Muff (Supersonic BMW) +1.182s
Luca Scassa (Padgetts Honda) +1.204s
Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +1.261s
Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.370s

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