Hickman dominates Thruxton Friday FP sessions, Barbera breaks fibula

Peter Hickman was the dominant rider to beat during Friday free practice for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship round at Thruxton as he eased to the top time in FP1 and FP2.

Ending FP1 a sizeable 0.7s up on his nearest rival, Hickman went quicker again in FP2 aboard the Smiths BMW with a 1m 15.140s lap, ending the day three tenths clear at the head of the leaderboard.

Indeed, Hickman’s FP1 and FP2 session-topping times would not be bettered by another rider as he dominated proceedings on the BMW S1000RR.

Danny Buchan moved into second quickest on the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki, while Josh Brookes was the best of the title contenders in third place aboard the Be Wiser Ducati challenge, while Jason O’Halloran was in fourth place as the best placed McAMS Yamaha.

Feeling more comfortable in FP2, BSB leader Scott Redding was fifth best on the second of the factory Ducati Panigale V4 Rs, ahead of the impressive Glenn Irwin, who ended his first day on the Tyco BMW S1000RR a strong sixth place..

By contrast, the Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team he parted ways with ahead of Thruxton were suffering again after Irwin’s replacement – ex-MotoGP rider Hector Barbera – crashed at Allard and fractured his fibula. He will be assessed tomorrow as to whether he will be able to ride in FP3.

Honda’s Andrew Irwin was just behind his brother in seventh place, with BSB rookie Ryan Vickers an impressive eighth. Barbera’s team-mate Ben Currie and title contender Tommy Bridewell rounded out the top ten.