Reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne topped the second free practice session of the day at Brands Hatch this afternoon as he fired the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ahead of his rivals as he begins his title defence.

Samsung Honda's Alex Lowes had set the early pace from his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari and the Lincolnshire rider claimed the second fastest time of free practice two, with returning triple champion fourth on the timesheets.

Bathams Honda marked their return to the Championship with Tommy Bridewell ending the opening day third fastest, displacing Kiyonari in the final ten minutes. Milwaukee Yamaha's James Ellison completed the top five on his return, with team-mate Josh Waters 15th on his debut.

The top ten featured five manufactures with James Westmoreland seventh for Buildbase BMW, just ahead of Karl Harris and Jakub Smrz who lines up for Padgetts Honda this weekend.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, free practice two: 1.Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 46.787s2.Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.086s3.Tommy Bridewell (Bathams Honda) +0.309s4.Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +0.524s5.James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.538s6.Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.574s7.James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.777s8.Karl Harris (PR Racing Kawasaki) +0.784s9.Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +0.961s10. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.100s