Rory Skinner marked his return at his home round of Knockhill by topping the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice at the Scottish circuit, in a rain-interrupted opening session.
The session got underway in dry conditions and Cheshire Mouldings BMW Motorrad’s Skinner was soon leading the timesheets as he held a 0.058s edge over reigning champion Tommy Bridewell and Honda Racing UK.
Leon Haslam was into third for the ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad team, with Danny Buchan also setting an early flying lap to put him fourth for DAO Racing Kawasaki.
Josh Brookes completed the top five for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team ahead of Danny Kent and Glenn Irwin, with the championship leader ending the session with a technical problem just before the chequered flag.
Lee Jackson, Jason O'Halloran and Andrew Irwin completed the top ten as nine different teams featured in the top ten standings after the initial flurry of lap times before the heavy rainfall.
Kyle Ryde had sat out the opening session after coming down with a sickness bug overnight. The OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider is aiming to be back on track later today.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, Free Practice 1 result:
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings BMW Motorrad) 48.117s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.058s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) +0.258s
- Danny Buchan (DAO Racing Kawasaki) +0.300s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) +0.429s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.474s
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +0.538s
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +0.571s
- Jason O'Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 0.573s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.584s
For the full session result please click here