Double Bennetts British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes was back to his winning best at Silverstone at the season opener for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad team, claiming the top spot in race two before completing a hat trick of podium finishes.
Brookes claimed his first podium onboard the BMW M 1000 RR in Saturday’s 15-lap Bennetts BikeSocial sprint race, but in race two he grabbed the lead and held his position at the front fending off the chasing pack behind. The win was Brookes’ 55th in the championship and his first since 2020.
The final race of round one saw Brookes end the weekend in second, scoring his 150th Bennetts BSB podium to date, putting him and the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad team at the top of the riderd standings.
Brookes said: "It's perfect, to lead the championship after the first round is ideal. You know, we are always optimistic we are going to have a good bike, good package, but to get into the opening round and have three podiums is ideal. We are in a perfect place to build for the rounds to come.
"I think as a racer and as a competitor you always have this idea that everything will go smoothly and you’ll win everything. I think it’s natural for competitors to have that mindset, so I always believed that if things were good we could do this and better. But you also have this realistic mind that it’s a difficult series, lots of good riders and it’s always hard fought racing and you can never be sure you are going to get good results like we did, so definitely pleased to take these positions.
"I have spent a lot of time thinking about the moment when I would win again; when I was winning regularly you would think it would just come. The last two years have been hard, people start to doubt you and I don't blame them for that. It feels good to win for myself, the team, and it is a feeling of success."
Faye Ho,Team Principal added: "We came into the first round wanting to achieve the best we could, and I think with Josh’s results we did just that. FHO Racing was on the podium in all three races, and I’m so pleased we were able to give Josh a package that he was able to win with again.
"Of course the weekend hasn’t been without it’s difficulties, but that’s racing. Although Pete’s results weren’t what he wanted, he had pace with strong lap times and matching Josh’s best time in the final race, showed just that."
"This year we have a new bike, as well as a new team and I’m so happy with how everyone has gelled and worked together across the weekend. It’s early days, but I think we’re in for an exciting season.”