Runner-up Josh Brookes has admitted that the pace he had in race two today showed him what may have been a much closer championship challenge for this season.

But the charge comes too late for the McAMS Yamaha as he now trails series leader Leon Haslam by an insurmountable 97 points ahead of the series finale at Brands Hatch in a fortnight.

After finishing a lowly ninth in race one today and voicing unhappiness on the grid with the bike’s setup, Brookes came out fighting in the second scrap and led the race for five laps in the final half before Haslam squeezed past him and held on for victory.

But the Australian, who admitted he wouldn’t usually be content with a runner-up finish, said he was happy to walk away with 20 points as he reflected on what could have been a stronger title challenge had his and the team’s pace come earlier in the season.

“The last few rounds really haven’t gone our way,” Brookes said. “And it’s even more frustrating now thinking about that race. It shows what our championship could have been if we had that motorcycle at every round.

“I know myself. I can fight for the podium every weekend, but sometimes the bike just isn’t there. I certainly didn’t develop talent between race one and race two.

“The bike improved which is a great result that I really enjoyed. Second would normally be a disappointment but I’m quite pleased with second.

“To race corner by corner and lead the race and see the lap times that I was able to do. I couldn’t have dreamed of doing that in race one. I’m really pleased to see a great race and a great battle.”