No one was more surprised than Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes who finally took his first win of the 2013 MCE British Superbike season, in the opening race at Brands Hatch.

Brookes was caught up in a battle for the victory with Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne, with the lead changing numerous times over the course of the afternoon.

But a mistake by Byrne whilst trying to overtake Brookes at Hawthorns left the reigning champ in the gravel, leaving the Aussie a clear path to take the win from Lowes.

Brookes is now second in the overall championship standings, and has been working hard on improving his riding, and is now ready to take the battle again to Byrne, who will be out for revenge.

“It feels good, I felt that I have been trying as hard as the guys who have been winning all season, and it was a great surprise to finally get the win, but I am proud of the team,” said Brookes, speaking at the circuit.

“I have been improving my riding and we were all struggling for grip at the end of the race, but as a package I feel we are strong and I am proud of myself and the team and everyone involved. Shakey is going to look to come back even stronger, and has the home track advantage and feels the need to win and put on a show, but we just have to keep our game and put it to him again.

“I felt like I was going quite well into Hawthorns corner, and then Shakey went up on the inside and I thought his bike was performing better than mine, and then he went down, and that shocked me, to see his bike slide away in front of my front tyre.

“I was lucky enough not to get caught up in it, which did distract me a little bit as I didn’t ride as cleanly on that lap. But I got back into my rhythm and to ride strongly enough for Alex not to overtake me and take the victory.”