Brookes on Cadwell pole as Ray returns to form with front row

Title contender Josh Brookes starts from pole position for round eight of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park as Suzuki’s Bradley Ray notched up a surprise front row start for Suzuki.

A circuit Brookes has enjoyed much success on over the years, he was again in fine form over a single lap as he topped all three qualifying phases to stop the clock at a pole-winning 1m 26.219secs.

That placed him two tenths clear of the competition, headed up by Buildbase Suzuki’s Ray, who marked his first Q3 showing of 2019 with a fine run to the front row. The youngster was a podium winner at Cadwell Park twelve months ago, a result he will be keen to repeat this weekend after what has a been a torrid 2019 campaign so far.

Three Ducatis fill the top four positions with Tommy Bridewell and BSB leader Scott Redding qualifying third and fourth, ahead of FP3 pace setter Danny Buchan on the FS-3 Kawasaki.

Yamaha pair Jason O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot get away from sixth and seventh positions, with Tyco BMWs Christian Iddon and Glenn Irwin rounding out the third row.

Elsewhere, Title Showdown entry contenders Andrew Irwin and Peter Hickman get underway in 10th and 11th, while Xavi Fores starts 13th and the injured Tarran Mackenzie soldiers on in 17th.