Josh Brookes struggles at Phillip Island

Aussie talent off the pace, highside compounds bad day at the office

JOSH Brookes crashed out of the first day of the official WSBK test and ended the day in 22nd place.

Brookes, who is standing in for John Hopkins, highsided out of MG, opening up an old wound in the processs.

Brookes said on his Twitter feed: "Hard pill to swallow being so slow. Im ok after crash so another chance tomorrow. I feel improvements but lap times don't show it yet"

His time of 1:34.667 was almost three seconds off the quickest time of 1:31.947, set by Carlos Checa. Brookes is expected to race at the opening World Superbike round before returning to England to compete in British Superbikes on the Tyco Suzuki.