Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes made the switch from the harder rear SC1 compound tyre to the softer option SC0 for the opening MCE British Superbike race at Oulton Park, but the rider is unsure if the change paid off, and will have to consult the data for more information.

Brookes fought hard for the win – which was to elude him, as he was pipped to the post by Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari, but he out-paced Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne to take the second spot on the rostrum.

The Australian has already won a race at the circuit earlier this season, and hopes that he can get to the top step in the two races tomorrow – and the Bringelly rider will have an advantage in race two as he starts from pole position.

“I usually use the one but switched to zero, and with the track temperature up we tried to use the zero for race one, and try and find some advantage with it,” said Brookes, at the circuit.

“I don’t know if it was better or worse, it is not conclusive and we need to look at the data to tell more of the story. I had a good fight with Shakey and it was difficult to make passes and for them to stick. I wanted to try and lead the race to see if I had the pace.

“Initially when I got to the front I started to make mistakes and for reasons I can’t explain I was a bit irate with the times and I got a bit flustered. Then Kiyo came past and I clung on to him to keep the pressure on, but Kiyo didn’t make any mistakes and I had to settle for second.”

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