Lavilla heads Thruxton second practice

Gregorio Lavilla continues the form he showed at Brand Hatch last weekend by setting the pace in this afternoon in free practice for Sunday second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton.

Lavilla has taken the Airwaves Ducati around the fast and bumpy 2.356 mile course in 1:50.06s, just outside his own lap record of 1:14.89 set in last year’s races.

Tommy Hill has bounced back from a troubled first round at Brands to post second quickest time today on the Virgin Media Yamaha, just 0.17s off Lavilla’s best.

Jonathan Rea topped the first practice session with a 1:15.27 but couldn’t go any faster this afternoon but his 1:15.34 came with some spectacular full lock powerslides on the HM Plant Honda out of the chicane onto the start/finish straight.

Rea’s team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari appears to have rediscovered his form after a disappointing start to his title defence at Brands Hatch last weekend.  He is fourth quickest with time just 0.02s slower than Rea.

Brands sensation Leon Camier continues his good form on the Bike Animal Honda and is fifth quickest with a 1:15.42.

Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and Shane Byrne have rounded out the top eight.
Chris Walker, in his first visit back to the high speed bumps of Thruxton in seven years, is 12th overall.

There have been no crashes or other incidents in either of today’s superbike practices.

1. Gregorio Lavilla.

2. Tommy Hill.

3. Johnny Rea.

4. Ryuichi Kiyonari.

5. Leon camier.

6. Leon Haslam.

7. Cal Crutchlow.

8. Shane Byrne.

9. Tom Sykes.

10. Karl Harris