Australian fan favourite Josh Brookes has switched to the Milwaukee Yamaha team and will race for Shaun Muir's outfit in both the MCE British Superbike Championship and on the roads in 2014.
The former Tyco Suzuki man, who put together a hat-trick of wins at Brands Hatcha couple of weeks ago to secure third place in the 2013 series, felt it was time for a change after three years on a GSX-R1000 and will ride alongside Tommy Bridewell on short circuits and Ian Hutchinson on the roads.
"Shaun has put together a race and championship-winning team in the past and it feels good to be a part of that now. After three years with Suzuki, it's time for a change and Milwaukee Yamaha came up at exactly the right time," said Brookes, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.
"Emotionally I didn't want to change but mechanically I need to to see why I haven't been making any progress. It's the old saying of 'how long do you keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result'. I've been hovering around the podium area for three years now and not gettting any stronger or being a more regular winner.
"I can put in a decent result but not enough to be a serious title challenger and that's what I want to be. The bike is good enough as you only have to look at what it has won and who has won on it, Leon Camier, Ben Spies, Marco Melandri, Eugene Laverty, Tommy Hill, Josh Hayes, it's a long list so the bike, and the Milwaukee team, have a proven winning record.
"Of course, I'm disappointed to leave Suzuki but I have to do things for me and this was the right time. Over the winter, I can rest my head and get myself fully geared up for the coming season in new surroundings with a view to a title in 2014.”