Hill fastest at Knockhill

Tommy Hill: Top in qualifying

Reigning champion Tommy Hill claimed his third pole position from five rounds of the British Superbike Championship at the Knockhill circuit in Scotland.

The Swan Yamaha rider, who won both races at the Fife circuit on his way to the title last season, defied difficult conditions to post a best lap time of 48.785 seconds.

Hill, who trails Tyco Suzuki's championship leader Josh Brookes by one point in the standings, held Michael Laverty at bay after the Samsung Honda rider crashed on the last lap of the qualifying session at Scotsman Corner as he tried to snatch pole.

Hill said: "The conditions were tricky and it is always hard to know hard to push on, so I am pleased to come out on top and now we will have to see how it goes in the races."

Laverty, who had already set the second fastest time, said: "I was pushing hard, made a few mistakes and tried a bit too hard into the corner - it was a silly little crash, losing the front end but I am confident that in the races I can keep the momentum going."

Brookes completes the front row while twice former champion Shane Byrne is on the second row on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki alongside Padgetts Honda's Ian Lowry and the Swan Yamaha of Noriyuki Haga.