BSB: Iddon opens Assen on top

Christian Iddon led the way as the 11^th round of the MCE British Superbike Championship got underway at Assen, holding off title challengers Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam for the top spot in practice.

The Tyco BMW rider was on the pace across both of the day’s sessions, setting competitive times on both the harder and soft Pirelli rear tyre. 

Lapping under the lap record, he pipped series leader Shane Byrne by just 0.098 seconds in the afternoon’s second session.

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Leon Haslam was third quickest for JG Speedfit Kawasaki ahead of fellow showdown contender Luke Mossey, who had sat out most of the morning session with gearbox issues.

Jakub Smrz showed surprisingly impressive pace to place fifth fastest for Smiths BMW ahead of returning ePayMe Yamaha rider Broc Parkes.

James Ellison was seventh ahead of Honda’s Dan Linfoot, who topped the morning session, with Richard Cooper and Jason O’Halloran – riding at Assen on a Superbike for the first time – rounded out the top ten.