Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes was surprised with just how fast his R1 could go around the Assen track, during the MCE British Superbike qualifying session this afternoon.
Brookes put down a stunning 1’35.971 and was the only rider to reach the 1’35’s today. He successfully held off the charges from fellow title fighter, JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison and rival PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne.
Brookes went nearly two seconds under the lap record set by Alex Lowes back in 2013, and had recently competed at the Dutch circuit in the IDM Championship onboard the Yamaha. This visit left the Bringelly rider feeling confident going into this race weekend, as he knew he had a strong pace to be competitive.
“I was coming into this event with some confidence and having ridden here earlier in the year on the different spec bike meant I had a good idea of where we could be and when I was doing 1’:37’s I thought that might be where we levelled off,” said Brookes.
“What I thought was already a fairly well prepared bike, and one I was confident with, the team chopped and changed it a bit and we found some extra tenths so the team really delivered it for me. To go out and do a 1’:35.9 is even a surprise to me.
“I was confident coming into the event but I didn’t expect to be that fast. Sure I had to ride the bike, hold the handle bars and push the tyres but the team have stepped up a level this weekend and it is perfect timing. But you cant be too confident as there are loads of clouds about so that could completely change things (tomorrow) so I just want to get on and do my job and hopefully that is a win.”
