BSB: Brookes back in business on BSB return

Josh Brookes and Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha silenced their critics with a strong showing in the opening round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

The 2015 British Champion was consistently quick across the weekend, took a front row start for race one, pole for race two and finished off the weekend with an incredible second place to begin to answer questions about whether his gamble of returning to BSB with the unproven Anvil Hire team could pay off.

Seventh in race one plus his runner-up spot sees Brookes, whose team receives no support from Yamaha whatsoever, outrank both factory-supported McAMS Yamaha riders after the opening round.

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“To be leading most of a race and ending up second is a good position to be in at the moment,” Brookes told MCN after the race. “I was expecting to be top five and maybe able to fight for a third, so to do this is a great result for us even if I was disappointed to drop back to seventh in race one.

“We beat both factory supported Yamahas, and this is a reflection of the BSB rules. You don’t have to be a factory supported team to do well. If the rider is capable of the results, even if the bike is letting you down you can get hold of the parts to improve. Providing you’re in a team with good sponsorship and structure, then any rider with enough ability can take that team to challenge for results.” 

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