The 2021 Season Testing Schedule Got Under-way Today At The Silverstone National Circuit With Jason O’Halloran putting In The Fastest Lap Of The Day.

The Bennetts British Superbike paddock headed to the iconic Northamptonshire circuit of Silverstone for the first testing day of the 2021 season. Along-side the Superbike class was the Quattro Group British Supersport & GP2 class and the Pirelli National Superstock class. The lay-out for the testing day was the Silverstone National circuit.

Session one for the Bennetts British Superbikes was under cool but dry conditions, Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW,s Kyle Ryde made a strong start to proceedings as did Buildbase Suzuki rider Gino Rea; who ended the session in third place. It was McAMS Yamaha rider Jason O’Halloran who topped the time sheets at the end of session one, Jason managed to hold off his 2020 main Superbike rival VisionTrack Ducati and reigning Champion Josh Brookes by 0.268s. Honda Racing Rookie Takumi Takahashi had a positive start to testing, the Japanese rider ended the session in ninth place, with team-mate Glenn Irwin finishing in fifth place just in front of Ducati’s Christian Iddon.

As the riders headed out for the second session of the morning it was McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran who stayed at the top followed closely again by his fellow country man Josh Brookes, Glenn Irwin jumped two places to finish the session in third place. The SYNETIQ BMW riders made their first appearance of the day in session two with Danny Buchan finishing in seventh place and Andrew Irwin finishing in ninth place. FHO Racing BMW’s first rider to make the top ten was all-new rider Xavi Forés, ending his session in tenth place. McAMS Yamaha rider Tarran Mackenzie finished in sixth place in session two having made the decision to sit out of session one. Kyle Ryde was proving to be strong again as he ended his second session in fourth place, whilst Christian Iddon improved by one place finishing in fifth place.

For the third session in a row Jason O’Halloran topped the time sheets with Ducati’s Josh Brookes on his heels, just 0.221s adrift from each other, Jason didn’t improve his lap time from the second session but Josh improved his fastest lap time by 0.322s. Christian Iddon made it to third place, his best finishing position of the day so far. FHO Racing BMW’s Xavi Forés put in a strong performance yet again ending his third session of the day in sixth place with his team-mate Peter Hickman down in 18th place. Oxford Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell finished in 11th place, just being edged out of the top ten by Buildbase Suzuki’s Danny Kent. Tarran Mackenzie had a small crash during the session and managed to still finish in fifth place.

McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran stormed to the top of the time sheets yet again for the fourth and final session of the day. Josh Brookes was looking to claim another second place finish until RICH Energy OMG’s Kyle Ryde put in a fast lap just 0.198s adrift of Jason and claimed his best finishing position of the day a second place. FHO Racing Forés improved his position yet again finishing the session in fourth place. Builbase Suzuki’s Danny Kent made it to sixth place even with a small off at the end of the session. RAF Regular & reserve Kawasaki rider Ryan Vickers ended the final session in tenth place, his best session of the day. McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie had a disappointing end to the day having an off on his outing lap and wasn’t able to make it back out on track.

Testing continues tomorrow at Silverstone, will Jason O’Halloran have it all his own way again or will we see a new name at the top of the timing sheets? Testing starts tomorrow morning at 09.00am with the HEL Junior Supersport/Honda British Talent Cup classes.

Support Classes Results:

Featured Image: Bennetts British Superbikes & Impact Images.