The Milwaukee Yamaha team celebrated a double victory in the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Thruxton today (Sunday) as Josh Brookes claimed a stylish double win at the Hampshire circuit.

In the opening race of the day Brookes instantly fired into winning contention, taking the lead on the seventh lap before edging out his rivals to win the race by just over four seconds in imperious style. Tommy Bridewell had been engaged in a tussle for fifth position which he held on to score valuable championship points.

In the second race Brookes again headed off series leader Shane Byrne to score his first double victory of the season to close on points in the overall standings. Bridewell’s home round ended in disappointment with a technical problem forcing him out of the action, but ready to come out fighting at Oulton Park in just four day’s time.

Brookes said:

“I am certainly pleased with the double win and it is a great result for Milwaukee Yamaha. I am really enjoying this moment of being back on the top step of the podium after some rounds where we haven’t been, but I think sometimes you have to remember that racing Superbikes isn’t easy. I kept pushing as hard as I could where I was strong and riding through the areas I didn’t feel as good. I maintained good lap times in the first race and the gap just grew and grew. It has been exciting for me to win and I want to see if we can do the same at Oulton Park now.”

Bridewell said

“In the first race I had wanted more than a fifth place but it was some points if you are looking at the positives of it. In the second race I wanted to settle into a rhythm because I had a bit of a plan. I came out of Church and we had a problem with the bike and I knew it was over straight away. It was unfortunate, especially as we have worked so hard again this weekend, but I suppose the Thruxton demons continue to get me here! It is disappointing as I know we have the pace but now we just have to focus on Oulton Park and getting back where we need to be.”

Team co-ordinator Mick Shanley concluded:

“Josh and the whole team have worked hard to overcome the problems of the last couple of rounds and so the double win was a fantastic result for everyone. We concentrated on race pace and it has been a phenomenal performance from the team to have won both races. Now we need to keep the ball rolling into Oulton Park, which is the first circuit we have come to that Josh has been too already this season with the Yamaha.

“I think from Tommy’s side he had a strong performance all weekend and had a solid ride to score the points for fifth place in the first race. Unfortunately he couldn’t build on it in the second race with the problem we had, but we know he is capable of scoring podiums so we will be ready for Oulton Park.”

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