Brookes quickest in Cadwell Park FP1

Josh Brookes opened up quickest as Round 8 of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicked off at Cadwell Park, ahead of Danny Buchan and Tommy Bridewell.

The Australian, who dipped under the lap record during a one-day test on Thursday, was again on form aboard the Be Wiser PBM Ducati to stop the clock at 1m 27.211s, Brookes only tested on the timesheets by Danny Buchan, who popped up in second place aboard the FS-3 Kawasaki.

A session affected mid-way through by spots on rain, conditions improved towards the end to allow Tommy Bridewell and BSB leader Scott Redding into third and fourth respectively, making it three Ducatis inside the top four.

Fresh from his Thruxton success, Andrew Irwin was again in the mix in fifth place for Honda, while Ulster GP star Peter Hickman was sixth quickest despite two offs during the session.

The impressive Ryan Vickers was seventh quickest ahead of Jason O’Halloran, Glenn Irwin and Christian Iddon, while ex-MotoGP rider Claudio Corti followed in 11th.

Showdown contender Tarran Mackenzie managed just three laps as he continues to evaluate a race return following wrist surgery.

Meanwhile, Gino Rea is riding the Bike Devil Sweda in place of Danny Kent, following the revelation he has been found guilty of carrying a knife and handed a suspended prison sentence, while Billy McConnell returns to Superbike action with OMG Racing in place of the injured Luke Mossey.