Tom Sykes put his Rizla Suzuki into the number one spot during second free practice at a damp Mallory Park today ahead of round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The first free practice session was in full dry conditions and Sykes completed that in a strong third place, while Honda’s Cal Crutchlow set the fastest time. The difficult conditions in the afternoon reduced the lap times but should it rain on race day, the wet weather preparation will stand by the Huddersfield rider. Two time Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe rode to a much improved sixth place during second free practice having been 17th in the dry. He is still learning the circuit and would have benefitted from more dry track time. The singular 50-minute qualifying session takes place on Saturday June 28th at 1440. Race one takes place on Sunday June 29th at 1315 with race two at 1620 at the Leicestershire circuit. Tom Sykes: “Free practice one was good as it was bone dry and I was putting in consistent lap times on old tyres. We made some geometry changes to the suspension and that helped matters too, so I’m feeling confident in our dry settings for Mallory Park. The second session was wet and we have made some big changes to our wet set up so it was good to get on track and try them. I felt very comfortable and confident, we will just have to wait and see what the weather brings.” Atsushi Watanabe: “Today has been difficult because of the rain. It happens every race weekend; one session is dry and I’m learning, learning, learning, but then it rains. I had a track day here with John Reynolds so I have good feeling for the little track. I just need more track time either in full wet or full dry conditions. Damp conditions are not so good.” Free practice 1 results: 1: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 56.698 2: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.095 3: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.151 4: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +0.337 5: Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.351 6: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.882 7: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +0.900 8: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +0.953 9: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +0.996 10: Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +1.049 17: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +1.832 More, from a press release issued by Airwaves Ducati: POSITIVE START FOR AIRWAVES DUCATI It was a tentative start to the 6th round of the British Superbike championship at Mallory Park today, as wet weather resulted in limited track time. The Airwaves Ducati team had completed 76 laps in a dry first session, more than any of their competitors; however Shane and Leon chose not to return to the track for second wet practice. Shane was fastest for much of the first 50 minute session, recording his best time of 56.793 on lap 17 of 39. This time held the number one spot until the final 2 minutes when he was pushed down into 2nd place. Leon saw a continual improvement in his times in the final 15 minutes of practice. His fastest time of 57.049 came on his final lap to place him in 5th. Following practice Leon commented; “It is a shame the weather affected second practice but the first session was good so I am happy with that. When I first went out I was struggling for grip so I came in and we changed a number of settings which improved the bikes performance. I was then able to put in some consistent laps with satisfactory times which I was pleased with. This is not one of my favourite circuits but the Airwaves Ducati team will keep working and I am confident we will put in a good performance tomorrow and Sunday.” Shane Byrne was pleased with his day’s work saying; “Everything has gone well so far; it was disappointing not to have had more track time but this morning I was pleased with how the bike was feeling. We recorded some good lap times and I was leading for most of the session which is encouraging. I hope the weather holds for tomorrow but whatever the situation the Airwaves Ducati team will provide me with the best set up possible and I will do my best out on track for them and the fans.” Qualifying for round 6 of the Bennetts British Superbike championship takes place tomorrow, Saturday June 28th, at 14.40pm. More, from a press release issued by British Superbike Championship organizers: Cal Crutchlow aims to make home advantage count as the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike title continues at his local circuit of Mallory Park and the 22 year old Coventry rider topped the free practice leaderboard, though by only a split second from series leader Shane Byrne. The HM Plant Honda rider is one of only two men to beat the Airwaves Ducati rider so far, and Crutchlow is ready for more, and he underlined his determination with a 56.698secs, 89.52 mph lap of the short but demanding 1.41 mile Leicestershire circuit. “These races are very important for me; they could make or break the Championship. Ideally, I could do with a race win or a double to pull in as many points as possible. “I’d like to be up there and I can’t see any reason why not. If I can take the fight to Shakey (Byrne) and the Ducatis then I’ll do that,” reflected Crutchlow though he is all to well aware of the threat posed by Byrne who closed within 0.095secs at the end of the morning dry session. The championship leader has a good pedigree at this circuit, including a win in the corresponding round of last year, but, as he aims to regain the crown he held five years ago, he is taking nothing for granted. “I know I’ve got a good lead but there is a long way to go. I’ve always had decent results at Mallory so I’ve got no problems with the track. I want to try and have two good races. “The race results in themselves are important but they are a small part of a bigger puzzle. I need to keep finishing on the podium and at the end of the year the Championship should be the big picture,” said Byrne. Tom Sykes, riding Rizla Suzuki, closed in on the leading duo with a lap of 56.849secs as he signalled his intent of taking a seasonal first victory while Michael Rutter aboard the North West 200 Ducati was only a third of a second down on Crutchlow. Leon Camier, who is a point clear of Crutchlow in the standings, ran fifth fastest aboard the second Airwaves bike, lapping in a best time of 57.049secs to be ahead of title outsider Leon Haslam on the second HM Plant Honda. John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, ran fastest among the Daily Star Cup contenders, though by only a tenth from Gary Mason, the form rider of the series, having won three of the previous four races on the Quay Garage Honda. Chris Burns returned to action aboard the STP MV Agusta running third fastest in this race within a race for Independent teams, a third of a second up on PDM Suzuki rider Luke Quigley. Rain showers during the afternoon prevented any improvements in lap times, with Sykes proving fastest with a time of 1m 00.490secs, a third of a second up on Tena for Men Honda rider Tristan Palmer, while Burns was the most industrious, putting in 25 laps, the best of which was 1m 02.051secs, half a second up on Haslam. Free practice top ten times: 1.Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 56.698s 2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) + 0.095s 3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.151s 4. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +0.337s 5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +0.351s 6. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.882s 7. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +0.900s 8. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +1.013s 9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.996 10. Billy McConnell (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +1.049s