Donington BSB: Ryde sets pace in FP1

Rich OMG Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde set the pace in free practice one as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship arrived at Donington Park.

Teammate Bradley Ray and FS-3’s Lee Jackson concluding a session-long battle for honours with the newly titled Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki claiming second from the YZF-R1 in the closing stages.

The National circuit action began with Jackson in charge of the early times with a 1’06.816 lap on his fourth attempt. Tommy Bridewell and FHO’s Peter Hickman securing the top three as spots of rain began to register around the track.

Championship leader Ray was the next to better, by half a second, on the OMG Yamaha with Bridewell improving to maintain his runners-up position on the Oxford Products Ducati. With the pack heading for pitlane as the rain was felt in all sectors.

Ryde joined his Rich Energy teammate in the top three ahead of Jackson, Synetiq BMW’s Andrew Irwin and Hickman with Jason O’Halloran kicking off round three from seventh on the McAMS Yamaha. Suzuki’s Danny Kent, Kawasaki’s Rory Skinner and BMW’s Chrissy Rouse completed the initial top ten as they waited for conditions to improve once again.

Tarran Mackenzie returned to action from outside the top 20 before quickly advancing up the order as his confidence built in the opening stages. The defending champion running 13th after nine laps of the short circuit on the McAMS R1. Honda’s Glenn Irwin suffering with early issues having dispatched just one lap with 20 minutes done.

Jackson hit the top as the second half began, with a 1’06.260. Josh Brookes promoting the MCE Ducati into tenth as Irwin arrived to 13th ahead of Danny Buchan and Mackenzie. Ray striking back just 0.58s away from breaking into the 1’05 pace on his tenth