James Ellison claims British Superbikes pole at Brands Hatch

James Ellison will start from pole position in the second round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider topped the time-sheets in Q3 as he broke the Indy circuit lap record with a time of 45.310 seconds.

The lead changed a number of times in a frantic 10-minute session but Ellison emerged on top by 0.257 seconds from Czech rider Jacob Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati), with Japan's Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) a close third.

Australian Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) was fourth fastest, just ahead of defending champion Shane Byrne, whose PBM Kawasaki team-mate Stuart Easton will start from sixth on the grid.

Cumbrian Ellison told www.britishsuperbike.com: "I felt comfortable during qualifying and we have just been making steps forward. We have come through winter testing with a good programme and I feel I am a match now for the riders in front with the extra power we have this year.

"We always have a little bit in reserve and if I am honest I didn't think we would get pole position in qualifying as Kiyo has been really strong and I have watched his laps and he has done long consistent runs.

"We now need to make sure we can do the same and I will do my best in the two races tomorrow and enjoy it too."

Leading grid positions:

1 J Ellison (Gbr) Kawasaki 45.310secs

2 J Smrz (Cze) Ducati +0.257

3 R Kiyonari (Jpn) BMW +0.277

4 J Brookes (Aus) Yamaha +0.336

5 S Byrne (Gbr) Kawasaki +0.366

6 S Easton (Gbr) Kawasaki +0.453

7 J O'Halloran (Aus) Honda +0.513

8 C Iddon (Gbr) Suzuki +0.709

9 B Parkes (Aus) Yamaha +1.020

10 J Kennedy (Irl) Kawasaki +1.056