Josh Brookes has now won six British Superbike races in succession after another devastating display of dominance at Cadwell Park. The Australian was in a class of his own on both races, winning both at a canter, and significantly, he has now overtaken title rival Shane Byrne in terms of podium credits.
Having taken a comfortable pole position, Brookes was always going to be difficult to stop and had it not being for a mid-race safety car, necessitated by a crash for Danny Buchan at the mountain, his winning margin may have been greater than the eventual 1.8 seconds. Race two saw the true scale of his superiority though, as he stormed to victory by five seconds.
After another perfect weekend, Brookes heaped more praise on his Milwaukee Yamaha team and hopes to carry his sensational summer form into the showdown.
“I worked really hard at the start of the first race to make a gap and then I saw the Safety Car come out and I knew I had to get back on the gas straight away and make the gap again. I always ride better on my own smooth lines and I just wanted to stay ahead. The bike feels like an extension of my body at the moment – I am sure it appears easy but it isn’t!”
“I just wanted to get out the front in race two and then not let up and keep going. It is easy to make mistakes and lose concentration. I wanted to be smooth and calculated so I kept it pinned and rode it to the flag. I am really pleased for the Milwaukee Yamaha team and everything is all working really well now so we are looking forward to Oulton Park.”
At the venue of his maiden BSB win last year, Peter Hickman enjoyed more Cadwell Park success with two magnificent rides to second place, the second of which came courtesy of a terrific move on Tommy Bridewell at Mansfield on the final lap. The Tyco BMW rider still held onto third though and, added to a fourth place finish in race one, the result looks to have assured him of a showdown spot.
Billy McConnell was the star of race one, beating Bridewell to his maiden BSB podium, but Shane Byrne endured another difficult afternoon with fourth in race two the highlight. Michael Laverty took a step closer to the showdown with fifth in race one but a crash in race two leaves him with work still to do at Oulton Park, with three races remaining to decide who contests the title.
2015 MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
(STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 8: CADWELL PARK)
[table id=544 /]
(Q – Qualified for Championship Showdown)
