Australian Josh Brookes has secured his first double win on board his Milwaukee Yamaha R1 at the Thruxton round of the British Superbike Championship this weekend.
Race one was a masterclass in timing from the Milwaukee Yamaha rider who was on resurgent form after a disappointing previous round at Brands Hatch. He slotted his Yamaha R1 in behind Dan Linfoot for second place before making a run into the lead and edging away on lap seven. Championship leader Shane Byrne could not match the leader’s pace on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and had to settle for a second place finish. A confident Ryuichi Kyionari, buoyed by a recent lift in pace finished in third place having rocketed up through the pack from eleventh on the grid.
Brookes on his way to a double at Thruxton
Race two was restarted due to the dramatic engine failure of Tommy Bridewell’s Yamaha on the run down to club chicane, causing the red flags and the marshalls to come out to clear up the mess.
After the restart, Brookes was pushed down to fifth for a brief spell with championship leader Shane Byrne out in front, having lead prior to the red flag. Brookes was intent on securing the double but it took a tough battle against Chris Walker and Ryuichi Kiyonari before he could challenge Byrne for the lead. An unexpected move into Allard gave Shakey no chance to respond initially.
Shakey wasn’t about to give up though and pushed his Kawasaki as hard as possible, Kiyonari mirroring his efforts close behind in an attempt to catch Brookes’ Yamaha. A thrilling last lap saw Brookes come out on top to claim a well-earned double victory, Shakey taking another second and Kiyonari once again third.
Brookes celebrating victory at Thruxton
Race 1 results:
1. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 20 laps
2. Shane Byrne GBR Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R +4.306s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Buildbase BMW S1000RR +5.058s
4. Dan Linfoot GBR Quattro Plant Kawasaki ZX-10R +6.039s
5. Tommy Bridewell GBR Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 +7.616s
6. Jakub Smrz CZE Milsport Ducati 1199 Panigale R +11.698s
7. Chris Walker GBR GBmoto Kawasaki ZX-10R +11.891s
8. John Hopkins USA Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 +12.144s
9. Michael Rutter GBR Bathams BMW S1000RR +12.610s
10. Patric Muff SUI Bathams BMW S1000RR +12.787s
11. Jon Kirkham GBR Halsall Kawasaki ZX-10R +13.186s
12. Peter Hickman GBR RAF Reserves Honda CBR1000RR +13.227s
13. Barry Burrell GBR WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R +13.638s
14. Keith Farmer GBR PR Kawasaki ZX-10R +18.819s
15. Lee Jackson GBR Buildbase BMW S1000RR +19.069s
16. Stuart Easton GBR Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R +21.840s
17. Josh Waters AUS Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 +24.117s
18. Howie Mainwaring GBR Quattro Plant Kawasaki ZX-10R +24.804s
19. Marin Jessopp GBR RidersMotorcyles BMW S1000RR +31.608s
20. John Ingram GBR Morello Services PBR Kawasaki ZX-10R +34.126s
21. Aaron Zanotti GBR STEL Suzuki GSX-R1000 +51.245s
22. Ian Hutchinson GBR FXX Yamaha YZF-R1 +58.366s
23. Jenny Tinmouth GBR TWR Honda CBR1000RR +1m 00.713s
24. Shaun Winfield GBR Tsingtao WK Kawasaki ZX-10R +1m 01.080s
Not Classified
25. Rhalf Lo Turco BRA SBK City Kawasaki ZX-10R 10 laps completed
26. Christophe Ponsson LUX Alstare Bimota Junior BB3 4 laps completed
27. Ben Wilson GBR Gearlink Kawasaki ZX-10R 4 laps completed
Race 2 results:
1. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1 15 laps
2. Shane Byrne GBR Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R +0.204s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Buildbase BMW S1000RR +0.467s
4. Dan Linfoot GBR Quattro Plant Kawasaki ZX-10R +3.343s
5. Chris Walker GBR GBmoto Kawasaki ZX-10R +7.734s
6. Jon Kirkham GBR Halsall Kawasaki ZX-10R +8.481s
7. Stuart Easton GBR Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R +8.886s
8. John Hopkins USA Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 +9.039s
8. Howie Mainwaring GBR Quattro Plant Kawasaki ZX-10R +10.452s
10. Peter Hickman GBR RAF Reserves Honda CBR1000RR +10.532s
11. Patric Muff SUI Bathams BMW S1000RR +11.295s
12. Josh Waters AUS Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 +12.631s
13. Jakub Smrz CZE Milsport Ducati 1199 Panigale R +12.878s
14. Barry Burrell GBR WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R +18.359s
15. Aaron Zanotti GBR STEL Suzuki GSX-R1000 +22.759s
16. Marin Jessopp GBR RidersMotorcyles BMW S1000RR +22.803s
17. Ian Hutchinson GBR FXX Yamaha YZF-R1 +28.643s
18. John Ingram GBR Morello Services PBR Kawasaki ZX-10R +37.078s
19. Jenny Tinmouth GBR TWR Honda CBR1000RR +37.790s
20. Shaun Winfield GBR Tsingtao WK Kawasaki ZX-10R +49.157s
21. Rhalf Lo Turco BRA SBK City Kawasaki ZX-10R +1m 08.430s
Not Classified
22. Lee Jackson GBR Buildbase BMW S1000RR 7 laps completed