Josh Brookes topped the Friday free practice timesheets at Cadwell Park as round eight of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship got underway.
The Be Wiser PBM Ducati rider – often dubbed ‘King of the Mountain’ in honour of airborne antics over the famous crest over the years – came into the day as the rider to beat after breaking the lap record during a test session on Thursday.
He was run close in FP1 though with FS-3 Kawasaki rider Danny Buchan only a tenth adrift of the Australian as he looks to pin down his spot in the Title Showdown for the first time.
Tommy Bridewell was third quickest in FP1 and fastest in FP2, though with rain affecting the latter session only 12 riders ventured onto track and posted lap times well adrift of the morning benchmarks.
BSB leader Scott Redding was fourth fastest at the end of the day, ahead of Thruxton winner Andrew Irwin on the Honda, Ulster GP star Peter Hickman – despite two offs – and top rookie Ryan Vickers. Jason O’Halloran and Tyco BMW pair - Glenn Irwin and Christian Iddon - completed the top ten.
Elsewhere, Tarran Mackenzie managed only three laps as he continues to evaluate whether he will return to action this weekend following wrist surgery. He is in contention with up to five riders for positions 4-5-6 in the Title Showdown battle, assuming Redding, Brookes and Bridewell are safe in 1-2-3.
Gino Rea made his Bike Devil MV Agusta debut in place of Danny Kent, who was confirmed as being dropped by the team following his conviction for carrying a knife.
Billy McConnell is also back on the BSB grid in place of Luke Mossey following his high-speed off on Thursday, which left him with a leg fracture [VIDEO here]
CLICK HERE for BSB FP1 Results at Cadwell Park
