Editorial Note: American James Rispoli, riding his Everquip Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, was fifth-fastest overall in British Supersport/GP2 Free Practice Two with a time of 1:40.762. The fastest rider in the session was Jack Kennedy, who did a lap of 1:39.728 on his Integro Yamaha YZF-R6.

Haslam ups the ante to lead after opening day at Assen

Leon Haslam upped the pace in the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship free practice session to fire the JG Speedfit Kawasaki to the top of the times by just 0.138s at Assen this afternoon, pushing this morning’s fastest rider Gino Rea back into second place with main title rival Jake Dixon locked into third.

The afternoon session was initially headed by Dixon onboard the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki before Haslam headed to the top of the times and despite the pack hunting him down he managed to hold the edge at the chequered flag.

Tarran Mackenzie had another strong session onboard the McAMS Yamaha; moving inside the top two before he was nudged into fourth in the closing minutes of the session with Tommy Bridewell again completing the top five.

Luke Mossey had been inside the top four earlier in the session, but the second JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider ended the afternoon session in sixth place, holding off Showdown contenders Glenn Irwin and Josh Brookes.

James Ellison and Peter Hickman completed the top ten, pushing Bradley Ray back into eleventh ahead of tomorrow’s Datatag Qualifying session to decide the grid for Sunday’s opening race.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Free Practice 1:

1.Gino Rea (OMG Suzuki) 1m:37.058s

2.Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.384s

3.James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.446s

4.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.545s

5.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.612s

6.Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.666s

7.Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +0.810s

8.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.827s

9.Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.842s

10.Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.018s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Free Practice 2:

1.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 1m:36.535s

2.Gino Rea (OMG Suzuki) +0.138s

3.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.154s

4.Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.248s

5.Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.314s

6.Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.373s

7.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.407s

8.Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.681s

9.James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.717s

10.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.764s

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam

(JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Fastest in free Practice

“Day one at Assen has been really good and it is really nice to be back here at Assen because I love this circuit, so I am happy to end up fastest.

“I’m feeling competitive with what we have tested today, so hopefully we can have another two more days of dry and keep progressing because every point is important on Sunday.”