Brookes becomes fastest ever rider around Silverstone en route to pole

Josh Brookes has obliterated the all-time superbike lap record at Silverstone en route to taking pole position for tomorrow’s MCE British Superbike races at the Northamptonshire circuit, dipping into 2:03 laps for the first time ever.

Breaking the World Superbike pole position set in 2011 by John Hopkins, even the American wasn’t able to match him, finishing in second, 0.2 behind the Australian on the Moto Rapido Ducati.

Christian Iddon was a surprise third, rounding out the front row after a strong lap on the Bennetts Suzuki to demote the next of the Showdown contenders, James Ellison, down to fourth.

Luke Mossey was fifth, ahead of Jakub Smrz on the second of the Milwaukee Yamahas, Peter Hickman, and yesterday’s fastest man Michael Laverty, who remained upbeat about his race pace despite the third row start.

Dan Linfoot was ninth, with defending champion Shane Byrne rounding out the top ten. Suffering from a tyre turning on the rim, he nonetheless ended the day positive after a fast pace in the earlier Q2.