Leon Haslam set the pace at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship official test at Donington Park Tuesday; the JG Speedfit Kawasaki contender pushed ahead of defending champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne in the final session as the opening round at the circuit beckons on Easter weekend (March 31 – April 2).

The pair had swapped places at the top of the times but as the chequered flag fell it was Haslam who held the advantage ahead of his home round next weekend. Glenn Irwin was third fastest on the second of the Be Wiser Ducatis, pushing rookie Gino Rea back into fourth as he prepares for his Superbike debut with the OMG Racing Suzuki.

Luke Mossey dropped to fifth fastest in the final ten minutes of the session, remaining ahead of Christian Iddon on the leading Tyco BMW, despite suffering a technical problem in the final 20 minutes.

Michael Laverty was seventh fastest ahead of last year’s title runner-up Josh Brookes with James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell completing the top ten.