BSB: Laverty tops opening day at Snetterton test

Published: 15 June 2016

1 of 1

Michael Laverty led the way on the opening day of the official British Superbike test at Snetterton, pipping Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Luke Mossey to the top spot in the closing moments of the final session.

The Tyco BMW rider hovered around the top of the timesheets all day as he made a huge step forward with a new rear shock setting gained from data gathered by team-mate Ian Hutchinson at last week’s Isle of Man TT.

After suffering with a number of issues throughout the day, Mossey moved to the top of the timesheets towards the end of the closing session only to be pipped by Laverty in the last minute. Nevertheless, the local rider was confident after stringing a number of fast laps together to conclude his test with the Quattro Plant team not partaking in tomorrow’s action.

Alastair Seeley impressed with the third fastest time of the day ahead of Honda’s Jason O’Halloran, with James Ellison and Christian Iddon, who fell off in the final session struggling with front end feel, rounding out the top six.

TOP STORIES

Tommy Bridewell took seventh ahead of Peter Hickman, with Leon Haslam and a much happier John Hopkins ninth and tenth.

Jake Dixon didn’t embarrass on his first day riding a 1000cc Superbike, his time of 1’50.995 placed him 19^th, just 1.9 seconds off Laverty’s fastest lap. WD40’s try-out Josh Hook also enjoyed the day despite having never seen Snetterton before, the Aussie knocked more than five seconds off his first session lap time by the end of the day.

Shane Byrne ended the day 15th fastest after only completing the final session, he’ll resume his testing programme tomorrow.

Testing resumes tomorrow, but the Tyco BMW, Quattro Plant Kawasaki, Buildbase BMW and ePayMe Yamaha teams have opted to call it a day.

Looking to buy your own bike? Visit MCNbikesforsale.com

By Oli Rushby

Former sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing