Haslam remains fastest, Bridewell triggers red flag

Full BSB FP3 results from Assen

Leon Haslam has retained his top spot in the final free practice session at Assen while FP3 was red flagged midway through after Tommy Bridewell suffered a high-speed off.

After topping Friday practice, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki has maintained his momentum at the Dutch track where he has claimed three Bennetts British Superbike race wins from the past four races.

Red Flag for @tommybridewell falling at Turn 11. On his feet going to medical centre for a check up. pic.twitter.com/jzrAKSQ0t8

— Bennetts British Superbike Championship (@OfficialBSB) September 29, 2018

With attention switching to qualifying runs at the end of the session, Haslam’s 1m 36.295s grabbed top spot from team-mate Luke Mossey and long-time leader Peter Hickman who found impressive gains with his Smiths Racing BMW to move up to third place.

FP3 was briefly suspended by a red flag triggered by a high-side off by Bridewell at Turn 12. The Moto Rapido Ducati rider, who notched up a double podium result last time out at Oulton Park, was taken to the medical centre as a precaution but was cleared to continue this weekend having only sustained a cut finger in the crash.

James Ellison continued to impress on the Anvil Hire Yamaha, having switched to Ohlins suspension for the first time this year, with BSB Showdown contender Glenn Irwin in fifth place for Be Wiser Ducati.

Irwin edged out McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie who nipped ahead of team-mate Josh Brookes following the 2015 BSB champion’s late off at Turn 3. The Australian rider was able to return to the pits with just superficial damage to his YZF-R1.

After impressing throughout Friday practice, Gino Rea retained a top ten place in eighth for OMG Racing Suzuki in front of BSB title contender Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) with Michael Laverty on the Tyco BMW in 10^th.

Finla BSB Showdown fighter Bradley Ray claimed 11^th for Buildbase Suzuki.