O’Halloran fastest for McAMS Yamaha on opening day of British Superbike testing

Jason’ O’Halloran completed the opening day of 2021 British Superbike pre-season testing  fastest for McAMS Yamaha, while new RICH Energy OMG Racing rider Kyle Ryde finished second, ahead of defending series champion Josh Brookes. 

Title runner-up in 2020, O’Halloran made a statement of intent during day-one of testing at Silverstone on the National layout, as he topped all four individual sessions. 

The Australian’s top time of 53.708s came under late pressure from Ryde who jumped up to second with less than a minute remaining. 

Fellow Aussie and Ducati rider Brookes looked in good form too as he aims to retain his title in 2021. 

Brookes was a consistent top five runner throughout the day, while team-mate Christian Iddon also concluded the day inside the top five. 

The British rider was fifth fastest, as former World Superbike and new FHO Racing BMW rider Xavi Fores split the two Visiontrack Ducati’s. 

Lap times were extremely close as 16 riders were separated by under a second, however, day-one also showed the competitive nature of the championship between teams, as five different manufacturers finished inside the top six with Danny Kent and Buildbase Suzuki sixth fastest. 

Tommy Bridewell was seventh fastest for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team. 

Rounding out the top ten was the second Buildbase Suzuki of Gino Rea in eighth, Honda Racing UK rider Glenn Irwin in ninth, and Lee Hardy Racing’s Ryan Vickers was tenth quickest. 

Of the 28 riders in action during the opening day, Tarran Mackenzie was the only rider not to complete a lap in the final session, however, the 25 year-old was fifth fastest during the penultimate session.