Brookes hits reset to get BSB campaign off the mark

Josh Brookes says the Be Wiser Ducati team is targeting the top step of the podium for round two of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park as he looks to bounce back from a disastrous opening weekend.

A bike that has dominated in its inaugural season on the World Superbike stage thus far, much was expected of the new Ducati Panigale V4 R in the hands of multiple title-winners Paul Bird Motorsport and a new high-profile rider line-up in Brookes and ex-MotoGP rider Scott Redding.

However, Brookes’ weekend was marred by persistent technical gremlins, stymieing his efforts in qualifying and leading to DNFs in both races.

Nevertheless, the former champion was otherwise buoyant about the bike’s speed and following a timesheet-topping test at Oulton Park last week returns to the Cheshire circuit looking to bounce back in winning style.

“It was good to top the test last week and it just further proves what we can do when everything is working well with me, the bike and the team. We came away with some more ideas on how to improve further and I’m confident we have what it takes to win races. We had good pace at Silverstone and came away with nothing but that is history now so it’s important to bounce back and we need two solid races at Oulton Park this weekend."