IN
THE
WIND
P44
BROOKES KICKS BSB ASSEN
J
osh Brookes and his Mil-
waukee Yamaha have taken
a decisive step toward finally
clinching a British Superbike
Championship title after the
Australian took both victories at
Assen in The Netherlands on
September 19-20.
Brookes now sits 28 points
clear of title rival and current
champion Shane Byrne with
three rounds to go after the
PBM Kawasaki rider could only
manage fourth and fifth places
in Holland.
"It's really pleasing to have
this lead over Shakey [Shane
Byrne] now," Brookes said. "A
lot of the racing I have done in
the middle of the season had
very little effect on the cham-
pionship standings, so for the
points to matter this weekend
makes a real difference."
Brookes took a command-
ing race one victory but had to
earn it in race two, an event that
had seen rain fall just before the
start, meaning tire choice would
be crucial. Brookes eventually
worked his way to the front and
fended off the challenge from a
revitalized James Ellison, who
took second in both races for
JG Speedfit Kawasaki to cement
his third place in the standings,
13 points adrift of Byrne.
Luke Mossey on the Quattro
Plant Kawasaki took a career
first podium in race one with
Tyco BMW's Michael Laverty
taking third in race two.
Assen was the best meeting
of the year for American John
Hopkins as he continues his as-
sociation with the Moto Rapido
Ducati Panigale R. The former
MotoGP star took fifth in race
one, however a mistake early in
the slick conditions of race two
dropped him to 15th and he had
to work his way back to 11th by
the flag.
Fellow American James Risp-
oli on the Team Traction Control
Yamaha continued his good
late season form in the British
Supersport Championship with
a hard fought second place
in race one, however a mas-
sive high-side in race two put
a damper on his celebrations.
Championship leader Luke
Stapleford took both victories on
the Profile Racing Triumph and
now leads the series by a mas-
sive 98 points from Kyle Ryde's
Pacedayz Yamaha with Smiths
Racing Triumph rider Jake Dixon
in third. CN
Josh Brookes has every reason to
be happy after a dominant display
at Assen.
PHOTO
COURTESY
OF
MILWAUKEE
YAMAHA
