BSB: Brookes to make comeback with Anvil Hire Yamaha

2015 MCE British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes will make a shock return to the series this year after signing a last minute deal with Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha.

With all the top seats signed up for 2017, it looked as though the Aussie had missed out on an opportunity to return to Britain but after late talks with TAG’s Rob Winfield, a deal was salvaged to bring the former champion back to the UK.

The move comes after Brookes suffered a dismal year in the Superbike World Championship with the Milwaukee BMW squad. Despite the strong bond between Brookes and the SMR team from their days in Britain, they couldn’t make things work on the world stage with BMW’s S1000RR.

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“I’m really happy to have a deal done and be back in British Superbikes,” he told MCN. “I was really keen to go to the world stage, but there is no point in being there and not being happy because your bike is no good and not capable of getting the results you desire. I feel it’s better to be in a series where I’m going to get a fair chance.

“I’m not coming back to make up the numbers. The best thing about BSB is that it’s not only the premier teams that have the opportunity to win. We’ve seen a lot over the last few years how private teams and younger riders can get on the podium, and I feel we can do that with Anvil Hire Yamaha every weekend in the hope of fighting for the championship.”