Cadwell BSB: Bridewell tops FP2 on 1’25 pace

Oxford Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell took charge of FP2 on Saturday afternoon as the only Bennetts British Superbike rider on 1’25 pace at Cadwell Park.

Bridewell’s 1’25.989 was almost a second faster than his morning effort and just 0.035s quicker than FP1 leader Brad Ray as the Rich Energy OMG Yamaha man bettered his initial pace by four-tenths at the close of play.

The battle for the Superpicks 12 began with Ray in control after his commanding morning effort. Honda’s Takuma Takahasi sitting a surprising second, just 0.038s adrift, with Synetiq BMW’s Danny Buchan in third.

Buildbase Suzuki’s Christian Iddon was the first to climb the rankings on his way into the top ten before Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki’s Rory Skinner and Honda’s Ryo Mizuno advanced to fourth and eighth respectively. MCE Ducati’s Josh Brookes improving on his FP1 best on his way to 14th in the opening 10 minutes while teammate Tom Sykes sat 18th.

The second FS-3 of Lee Jackson grabbed eighth next time around with a 1’26.7, Ray having advanced the outright target with a 1’26.111 after 20 laps of the Lincolnshire track across the opening day.

Honda’s Glenn Irwin held the gateway position to the top 12 with a 1’26.8 at the halfway stage with Iddon, McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie and Brookes the first adrift. Bridewell taking charge of the standings five minutes later with the first 1’25 of the day - a 1’25.989 - before falling at the base of the mountain next time around.

Buchan was back in third as he leapfrogged Takahasi after a 1’26.4 effort, his 30th lap of the day. Championship leader Jason O’Halloran sitting sixth thanks to his morning best with VisionTrack Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam, Jackson, FHO BMW’s Peter Hickman and Mizuno rounding out the top