Cadwell Park British Superbikes: Airwaves Ducati top the timesheets in free practice three

Airwaves Ducati led the way in the final free practice ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session at Cadwell Park this morning. 

Leon Haslam had been slowly bringing his times down before knocking HM Plant Hond’a Ryuichi Kiyonari off the top with 10 minutes remaining of the session. He didn’t give up even then and continued to push to get a best time of 1:26.480 on his penultimate lap.

He was the only rider to dip under the 1min 27sec mark.

Haslam’s teammate Gregorio Lavilla slotted in to second just before the end of the session with his best lap recorded at 1:26.480 while the best of the two HM Plant Honda’s was Ryuichi Kiyonari in third with a best of 1:27.305.

After Kiyonari’s the early lead times he improved to put in a best of 1:27.342 at the 20 minute mark. He then beat this on the next lap with his 1:27.305.

Airwaves Ducati’s Leon Haslam moved up to third after 29 minutes as he circuited the Lincolnshire track in 1:27.794. He then posted a 1:27.613 to push Tom Sykes in to third as he moved up to second. And a lap later Haslam’s 1:27.594 was only 0.289secs off taking the top spot.

Leon Haslam’s lap times continued to fall as he set a 1:27.522 followed by a 1:27.476 with a quarter of an hour to go.

And Leon Haslam’s persistence paid off with just 10 minutes remaining as he pushed Ryuichi Kiyonari in to second place by lapping at 1:27.232 on his 19th lap.

And just to inspire Airwaves Ducati ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session, Gregorio Lavilla moved in to the second spot with a 1:27.235 with three minutes remaining from this final free practice.

Leon Haslam made a final dash around the circuit to certify his position at the top of the time sheets and went quicker once more with a 1:26.480.

Tom Sykes fell at the Gooseneck when he was placed second after 23 minutes but was okay. Dean Thomas fell at Charlies with just under 20 minutes left but he was also not hurt.

Cadwell Park British Superbikes free practice three results:

Leon Haslam GBR Ducati 1:26.480
Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Honda 1:27.305
Gregorio Lavilla ESP Ducati 1:27.325
Jonathan Rea GBR Honda 1:27.597
Leon Camier GBR Honda 1:27.633
Tom Sykes GBR Honda 1:27.650
Shane Byrne GBR Honda 1:27.704
Cal Crutchlow GBR Suzuki 1:27.942
Tommy Hill GBR Yamaha 1:27.959
Karl Harris GBR Honda 1:28.001
Chris Walker GBR Suzuki 1:28.484
Scott Smart GBR Kawasaki 1:29.290
Michael Rutter GBR Kawasaki 1:29.498
James Haydon GBR Kawasaki 1:29.516
Simon Andrews GBR Yamaha 1:29.720
Chris Martin GBR Honda 1:30.074
Tristan Palmer GBR Honda 1:30.322
Dean Thomas AUS Suzuki 1:30.692
James Buckingham GBR Honda 1:30.717
Steve Plater GBR Yamaha 1:30.979
Tom Tunstall GBR Honda 1:31.565
David Johnson AUS Honda 1:31.738
Marty Nutt GBR Yamaha 1:31.750
Guy Martin GBR Honda 1:31.974
Malcolm Ashley GBR Kawasaki 1:32.146
Aaron Zanotti GBR Yamaha 1:32.468
Ryan Rainey GBR Honda 1:33.193
Neil Faulkner GBR Yamaha 1:36.125