Report:

 Alex Lowes is ready to fight for the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown after claiming a historic pole position this afternoon as the series debuts in mainland Europe for the first time this weekend at the legendary Assen circuit.

WFR Honda rider Lowes is determined to reel in the 33 points deficit he has on defending champion Tommy Hill as the Showdown gets underway this weekend. The Lincolnshire young gun set the challenge to his Title Fighter rivals by securing his second pole start of the season after setting a strong pace throughout the opening sessions yesterday.

"I knew my way around having had two days here last year testing with the Ten Kate Honda team so have been able to set my bike up well for the circuit," explained Lowes. "I've been consistent, had a good pace and done a series of good laps and pushed on really hard.

"In terms of the championship I am behind but I am going out there to enjoy it, be consistent, fast and do my best. I am up for the fight," added Lowes who was 0.181secs faster than his Title Fighter rival Michael Laverty riding for Samsung Honda.

Jakub Smrz, who has ridden for much of this season in the World series, marked his debut into MCE BSB by giving the Splitlath Aprila team their first front row start in the championship as he outpaced Swan Yamaha's Hill by a tenth of a second.

Aussie Josh Brookes goes into these races following a double victory in the previous round and is ten points down on Hill. He will start from the second row in fifth, for Tyco Suzuki, while Shane "Shakey" Byrne rode through the pain of a shoulder injury to keep his bid for a record equalling third British title on track in seventh.

Tommy Bridewell, the sixth of the elite Title Fighters, faces an uphill struggle in the races as he will start his Supersonic BMW from the third row of the grid in ninth place.

Visiting and home fans were also given the best example of British Championship quality this afternoon in the Motorpoint British Supersport Sprint race as seven riders fought to win the first race held outside the British Isles.  Christian Iddon took the victory ahead of series leader Jack Kennedy who had fought his way through the pack from the back of the grid.

Result:

Qualifying, top six:

1:Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) 1m:37.390s

2:Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +0.181s

3:Jakub Smrz (Splitlath Redmond Racing) +0.437s

4:Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +0.528s

5:Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.705s

6:Luca Scassa (Padgetts Honda) +0.801s