Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes set the pace in the final minutes of the wet opening free practice session, claiming the top spot from Keith Farmer on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki at Oulton Park.

Doodson Motorsport Honda's Robbin Harms had utilised the track time to learn the Cheshire circuit and was the initial pace setter, but later dropped to fourth overall as Brookes left it until the final 15 minutes of the session before venturing out onto the circuit.

Bathams Honda's Tommy Bridewell was another rider who had sat out the early stages of the session but within three laps moved third fastest as he returns to action following his high-speed crash at Thruxton.

The MH Kawasaki team held two positions in the top ten in the opening session at their home round with Howie Mainwaring fifth fastest, whilst team owner Michael Howarth replaces Luke Quigley here this weekend after he was concussed during a test earlier in the week. Howarth set the eighth fastest time on his return to the Superbike class.

The lone Samsung Honda of Ryuichi Kiyonari was sixth fastest ahead of Rapido Sport Racing Ducati's Matteo Baiocco, whilst Danny Buchan and Lee Costello rounded out the top ten for the Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki and Halsall Racing Kawasaki teams respectively.


MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, free practice one result:

Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 1m:55.781s
Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +3.277s
Tommy Bridewell (Bathams Honda) +3.404s
Robbin Harms (Doodson Motorsport Honda) +3.736s
Howie Mainwaring (MH Kawasaki) +4.418s
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +4.579s
Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +5.708s
Michael Howarth (MH Kawasaki) +6.576s
Danny Buchan (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +7.734s
Lee Costello (Halsall Racing Kawasaki)

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