This morning’s World Superbike’s first free practice at Silverstone was under cloudy skies, with cool temperatures (15°C) and there were three unusual suspects in the first three spots; Samsung Crescent Suzuki’s John Hopkins, Leon Camier and Jakub Smrz.

Hopkins, who is currently second in the British Superbike was continuously in the top ten in the 60 minute session and layed down a 2.06.667 lap that took him to the top of the chart. Camier was 0.221s off pace on his home circuit and no doubt those rumors that he’s is going to be dropped at the end of the season have helped spur him on.

Jacob Smrz was third. The Czech rider is well known for his do or die last laps just before the chequered flag in practice sessions. A very welcome surprise was James Toseland in fourth, making his return from injury. He promised he would push as hard has he could at Silverstone and it looks like he’s meaning to keep his word.

The fifth spot went to points leader Carlos Checa, followed by another returnee from injury, Troy Corser. The BMW rider lingered at the back of the field for most the session only to find something in the finale, while team mate Leon Haslam finished right on his tail in seventh.

Michel Fabrizio was eighth followed by Tom Sykes and Sylvain Guintoli rounding out the top ten. Castrol Honda’s replacement riders Alex Lowes and Fabrizio Lai were 12th and 22nd respectively. And if you’re wondering were Checa’s main rivals in the championship ended up, they were at the back of the grid, Marco Melandri took 14th while Max Biaggi was down in 16th.

WSBK Silverstone FP1 results:

01- John Hopkins – Samsung Crescent Racing – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – 2’06.667
02- Leon Camier – Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 0.221
03- Jakub Smrz – Team Effenbert Liberty Racing – Ducati 1198 – + 0.301
04- James Toseland – BMW Motorrad Italia – BMW S1000RR – + 0.319
05- Carlos Checa – Althea Racing – Ducati 1198 – + 0.346
06- Troy Corser – BMW Motorrad Motorsport – BMW S1000RR – + 0.397
07- Leon Haslam – BMW Motorrad Motorsport – BMW S1000RR – + 0.433
08- Michel Fabrizio – Team Suzuki Alstare – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – + 0.459
09- Tom Sykes – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R – + 0.521
10- Sylvain Guintoli – Team Effenbert Liberty Racing – Ducati 1198 – + 0.841
11- Maxime Berger – Supersonic Racing Team – Ducati 1198 – + 0.880
12- Alex Lowes – Castrol Honda – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 0.919
13- Eugene Laverty – Yamaha World Superbike Team – Yamaha YZF R1 – + 1.020
14- Marco Melandri – Yamaha World Superbike Team – Yamaha YZF R1 – + 1.085
15- Mark Aitchison – Team Pedercini – Kawasaki ZX-10R – + 1.120
16- Max Biaggi – Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 1.293
17- Ayrton Badovini – BMW Motorrad Italia – BMW S1000RR – + 1.406
18- Jon Kirkham – Samsung Crescent Racing – Suzuki GSX-R 1000 – + 1.433
19- Noriyuki Haga – Pata Racing Team Aprilia – Aprilia RSV4 Factory – + 1.580
20- Roberto Rolfo – Team Pedercini – Kawasaki ZX-10R – + 1.781
21- Joan Lascorz – Kawasaki Racing Team – Kawasaki ZX-10R – + 2.438
22- Fabrizio Lai – Castrol Honda – Honda CBR 1000RR – + 2.751

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