Tom Sykes was the fastest rider in the first free practice at Silverstone this morning.
After losing the lead in the championship standings after his Kawasaki suffered a technical issue and caught fire during race one at Moscow, the British rider sent out a warning shot to his rivals, when he posted a best lap of 2.
06.
056.
Leon Camier was equally impressive on his home circuit – where he won his BSB title in 2009 – as he was second quickest, but still four tenths adrift from the blistering fast Kawasaki rider.
Following in third, fourth and fifth was a trio of Italians: Michel Fabrizio who almost didn’t ride this weekend, as his Red Devils team is having sponsor issues, Davide Giugliano, who scored his first ever pole position in Russia and Marco Melandri, who will be losing his ride with BMW Goldbet, after the manufacturer decided to pull out at the end of the season.
Jonathan Rea – who may be moving to MotoGP next year was sixth followed by last year’s Silverstone race winner Loris Baz who was more than a second adrift from his team mate.
Once again the Aprilia satellite riders were faster than the factory riders, as Eugene Laverty and still not fit Sylvain Guintoli were eighth and ninth, respectively.
Ayrton Badovini, who scored Ducati’s first ever podium with the Panigale during the Russian round, closed out the top ten.
Suzuka 8 Hours winner Leon Haslam was 11th fastest, while Carlos Checa was just 15th, but he completed just four laps.
Mark Aitchison who is replacing injured Alexander Lundh in Pedercini Kawasaki this weekend was 16th and finished ahead of team mate Federico Sandi and Vittorio Iannuzzo, despite having completed just six laps in the 45 minute session.
2013 WSBK Silverstone FP1 results:1.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2′06.
0562.
Leon Camier (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2′06.
4133.
Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2′06.
9644.
Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2′06.
9975.
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 2′07.
0056.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 2′07.
0357.
Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2′07.
0868.
Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2′07.
3769.
Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2′07.
52610.
Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 2′07.
57711.
Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 2′07.
94812.
Jules Cluzel (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2′08.
05813.
Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 2′08.
18914.
Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 2′08.
45015.
Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 2′11.
32016.
Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2′11.
47517.
Federico Sandi (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2′11.
80618.
Vittorio Iannuzzo (Grillini Dentalmatic SBK) BMW S1000 RR 2′12.
669