Rutter fastest in Ireland

Honda has dominated the opening day of the Mondello Park round of the British Superbike championship.

All four of the top spots in the first practice session were taken by Honda Fireblades with Johnathan Rea leading Ryuichi Kiyonari, Michael Rutter and Karl Harris.

Rutter then went on to be the only rider to dip below 1:39, taking the fastest time in the second session, well over a second ahead of Glen Richards ZX-10R.

Leon Haslam took the third fastest time in the second session on the Airwaves Ducati with Rea in fourth and Kiyonari slipping to sixth in his first appearance since knocking himself out at Mallory Park in April.

It was a slow day for the Rizla Suzuki bikes though with Scott Smart finishing the second session in 10th and James Haydon in 16th.

Free practice two positions:

Rutter

Richards

Haslam

Rea

Emmett

Laverty

Kiyonari

Thomas

Harris

Smart

Martin

Lavilla

Hill

Kirkham

McWilliams

Haydon

Brogan

Mason

Palmer

Clarke

Lavery

Nutt

Plater

Wilson

Crockford

Buckingham

Beaumont

McGuinness

Pennsavalle

Medd

Ashley

Wren