The 2015 British Superbike Championship blasted into action today (31 July) at Thruxton in Hampshire. The UK’s biggest bike racing series kicked off a full weekend of on-track action with two free practice sessions, with the huge supporting cast also taking to the circuit.

With perfect sunny and dry conditions all day it was an ideal opportunity for the teams and riders to get dialled in to the fastest circuit on the calendar. In the first session it was the BeWiser Kawasaki of Danny Buchan leading the way for much of the running, although the #83 rider crashed at Cobb shortly after posting his top time. Fellow Kawasaki men Richard Cooper and James Westmoreland also put in quick laps early on.

Returning to ride the Ducati Panigale at Thruxton, John Hopkins spent much of the session in fourth before dropping to sixth at the chequered flag, while at the front it was championship rivals Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Josh Brookes trading blows in the final moments. Ultimately it was double winner last time out Brookes that took first honours by just over one tenth of a second.

Free practice two was another flat-out forty minutes around the unmistakable fast-sweepers of Thruxton. Once again it was Brookes who came out on top by 0.161s ahead of Hopkins’ Ducati. Cooper and Westmoreland were once again right in the mix while Shakey could only manage 12th.

The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of action in Hampshire, and tickets can be bought on the gate for £14 on Saturday and £32 on Sunday.

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