Superbikes: John Hopkins fastest in Donington Park free practice
Friday 5 September 2014 20:17, UK
Tyco Suzuki rider John Hopkins fired in a scorching final lap to snatch top spot from runaway series leader Shane Byrne in free practice for Sunday's ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.
Hopkins lapped the Leicestershire circuit in one minute 29.717 seconds, just 0.058secs ahead of Byrne, the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider who is aiming to end a run of nine races without a victory to keep his bid for a record fourth crown on track.
Ryuichi Kiyonari, like Byrne a three-times winner of the British title, set the third best time, marginally faster than Australian Josh Brookes aboard the Milwaukee Yamaha.
The importance of this round is to finalise the six riders who go through to the title-deciding showdown sequence.
Byrne, Kiyonari, Brookes and Tommy Bridewell have already qualified, leaving Dan Linfoot, Chris Walker, Dan Linfoot and James Ellison to battle it out for the two remaining places.
