Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) posted the fastest lap of the first qualifying session at Silverstone, heading off Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) in the process. Third place went to new Pata Racing Team Ducati signing Sylvain Guintoli while local favourite Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) pushed himself to fourth place and was followed home by another British competitor Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing Aprilia).

Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert) was sixth and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) slotted in seventh. Many top names ended up down the order on day one, with Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 12th and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) 17th, one position up on Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team).