Triple title-winner Shane 'Shakey' Byrne set the pace in the opening sessions on track this morning at Almeria as the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team began their first test of 2014 at Almeria in Spain.

The first sessions of the morning saw Byrne head the top of the timesheets as Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki's James Ellison continued to build on their previous test at Cartagena by posting the second fastest time.

Ellison had split the Rapid Solicitors Kawasakis with Stuart Easton third fastest as he continues his preparations to return to the Superbike grid after lifting last year's Motorpoint British Supersport Championship title.


This morning also marked Quattro Plant Kawasaki's first sessions on track in Spain after an initial shakedown at Mallory Park last week, with Dan Linfoot and Howie Mainwaring making themselves comfortable as they continue their build up to the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch.

Martin Jessopp and the RidersMotorcycles BMW team are also back on track today whilst SBK City Racing's Rhalf Lo Turco has made his debut in Spain, having his first shakedown as he gets set for his debut season.

Almeria test, morning sessions:

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:38.787s
James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.587s
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.707s
Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +1.243s
Martin Jessopp (RidersMotorcycles BMW) +1.283s
Rhalf Lo Turco (SBK City Racing) +6.767s

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Byrne stays on top as Ellison locks out second

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki held the position at the top of the timesheets in Almeria, Spain this afternoon despite high winds ending their sessions early as James Ellison continued to get to grips with the Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki in second.

Byrne was able to improve his time before he ended his day before the final session, confident with their opening run out of 2014. On the other side of the garage Stuart Easton was unable to improve his time from this morning when he crashed the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ending his day early. The reigning Motorpoint British Supersport champion is eager to return to the track tomorrow.

Byrne said:

"It was a good run out for us this morning and it felt good to be back on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki after the few months away. Unfortunately it has been a bit windy this afternoon, but we got some good laps in this morning to have a ride around and blow the cobwebs away. We finished early this afternoon and we will be ready to pick up with it again tomorrow."

Easton added:

"It's good to be back on the bike, but unfortunately I got caught out by a gust of wind and had a crash which was unfortunate and it gave the boys some work to do, but we will be back and hope for a better day tomorrow."

Ellison improved his time in the afternoon session, holding second on the timesheets for the Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki to remain ahead of Easton. Dan Linfoot was able to drop into the 1m:39s lap times this afternoon on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki as they overcame an early technical issue to remain ahead of Chris Walker on the second Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki.

Linfoot said:

"It's been a great day for us as we work towards 2014 and the start of the season at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately the wind picked up this afternoon so it was not as productive as it could have been, but we got through some areas and we got the chance to test the new 17" SC1 and SC0 compounds and hopefully we can make some more steps forward tomorrow."

Walker added:

"The conditions this afternoon made it more difficult but we have some ideas to change with the gearing tomorrow. It isn't a track I am too familiar with as I think the last time I came here the bike was bright blue and sponsored by Rizla, but I have definitely been enjoying it. The boys are working hard and we now have a plan for our next sessions to find some sharper steering and then we will be good for tomorrow."

Martin Jessopp sat out the final session of the day as they continue to make changes to the RidersRacing BMW, to finish ahead of Howie Mainwaring and Rhalf Lo Turco.

Josh Elliot set the pace of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 challengers, ahead of Lee Jackson and Jordan Simpkin.

Almeria test, day one, combined times:

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:37.544s
James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.779s
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +1.950s
Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +1.971s
Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.971s
Martin Jessopp (RidersMotorcycles BMW) +2.526s
Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +2.769s
Rhalf Lo Turco (SBK City Kawasaki) +8.010s

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