Thruxton BSB: Brookes wins ahead of War for Four battle

Josh Brookes has taken an imperious win on the Milwaukee Yamaha in the opening MCE British Superbike race at Thruxton, getting clear at the front before extending his lead out to over four seconds at the flag.
 
Brookes was an early second place, behind Dan Linfoot,chasing his first BSB podium form his front row start, and Shane Byrne, whojumped from the second row to sit third.
 
The Australian was able to clear away at the front after getting past Linfoot, leaving title rival Byrne behind as he pulled out thelead that would eventually stretch to 4.3 seconds.
 
However, the real battle of the race was for second, with a huge late charge from Ryuichi Kiyonari bringing him to within touching distance of Byrne, having deposed of Linfoot with ease.
 
However, despite initially leading his fellow triple champion on the last lap, it was too little too late for Kiyonari, and Shakey was able to come back on the Club Chicane to take second.
 
Linfoot was fourth, and will start race two from pole, while Tommy Bridewell was the winner of a close fought battle for fifth, breakingaway from Kuba Smrz, Chris Walker, John Hopkins and Michael Rutter, separated by only 0.8 seconds at the flag.