BSB: Jason O'Halloran tops Oulton Park Test ahead of Tommy Bridewell

Jason O’Halloran pipped Tommy Bridewell in the final session of the day to end the one-day Bennetts British Superbike test at Oulton Park at the top of the standings.

It was a special day for the BSB paddock as fans were able to attend an event for the first time in 577 days. Those in attendance were greeted at the entrance gates by selected BSB riders, who were ready and waiting to welcome them into the circuit.

Related articles from MCN

• Quest to broadcast July rounds
• Snetterton Test hit by bad weather
• Glenn Irwin tops Silverstone Test

On the track, the opening two sessions were topped by reigning champion Josh Brookes, on his return from a finger injury, and RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki rider Ryan Vickers. However, as expected, lap-times began to tumble in the third and final 55-minute session as riders went for a time attack.

O’Halloran was fastest overall with a 1:34.581, which was +0.037s quicker than Bridewell’s best time on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati V4 R. Vickers completed the top three and was only 0.127s behind O’Halloran.

Peter Hickman was the fastest BMW rider in fourth spot, whilst Brookes was fifth fastest for PBM. Gino Rea was next for Buildbase Suzuki, ahead of Glenn Irwin’s Honda, meaning that six different manufacturers featured in the top seven positions.

Despite crashing at Island early in the final session, Kyle Ryde was able to remain in eighth place overall. The Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW rider was second in both earlier test sessions.

Teammate Bradley Ray was ninth as he made his 2021 debut following a wrist injury, whilst Danny Buchan completed the top 10 for SYNETIQ BMW ahead of teammate Andrew Irwin – ensuring that there were five BMW riders inside the top 11.

Elsewhere, Christian Iddon was 12th on the second VisionTrack Ducati, whilst Tarran Mackenzie was 18th ahead of Rory Skinner. Takumi Takahashi’s Oulton Park debut was short-lived due to a crash at Druids in the opening session. The Japanese rider dislocated his left shoulder as a result. Fellow Japanese newcomer Ryo Mizuno was 26th today.

The BSB riders and teams have one more test remaining before Oulton Park hosts the season opener on June 25-27. Donington Park hosts the one-day test on June 8.