BSB: Haslam quickest from Byrne on opening day at Oulton

Leon Haslam led the way as free practice got underway for the third round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike championship at Oulton Park.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider clocked a quickest time of 1’34.093, some 0.2seconds under the race lap record, to place top in the second practice session ahead of rival Shane Byrne on the Be Wiser Ducati.

Christian Iddon placed fourth for Tyco BMW, just 0.3 off Haslam’s quickest lap ahead of Josh Brookes and winner last time out Luke Mossey.

John Hopkins rounded out the day sixth quickest ahead of Glenn Irwin, who led the way in FP1 for Be Wiser Ducati, while James Ellison, Jake Dixon and Jason O’Halloran rounded out the top ten.

Languishing in 13^th place, Sylvain Guintoli continued to struggle with the Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R despite the aid of Japanese Suzuki technicians, but things were worse for team-mate Taylor Mackenzie who was 23^rd quickest after FP2.

Despite both a new chassis and engine for Michael Laverty, the McAMS Yamaha rider continued to struggle in both sessions, finishing the day 20^th quickest