Australian Josh Brookes, last year’s record-breaking TT newcomer, took tenth place in today’s Superbike TT on the Isle of Man in only his second appearance at the event. The big positive for the Milwaukee Yamaha rider was his personal best lap on the sixth and final circuit with a 129.092mph effort.

His team-mate Ian Hutchinson, eight times a TT winner, was forced to retire his Milwaukee Yamaha on the second lap at Ginger Hall. Hutchy had been disputing a top ten placing when the problem ended his day prematurely.

Brookes said:

“I’m happy improving my best lap time, but because I’m realistically not expecting to win here just yet. I’m not looking at the gap to other riders; I’m just looking to make the picture perfect lap and when I make a mistake I’m hard on myself. Every lap I want to have the bike in the same wheel-tracks, unless I’m not in the perfect position.

“With the lack of experience I have around here I can’t expect to be much further up the ladder just yet. I just want to improve and if I can do that then I will get more accurate and more confident and the lap times will improve.”


Hutchinson said:

"It’s been a tough and frustrating TT so far. We’ve had our fair share of problems and having to retire from today’s race was a disappointment. I’ve had a lengthy debrief with the team to see where both Josh and I can improve for Friday’s Senior, but we still have the Supersport races on Monday and Wednesday to look forward to before then.”


Team Principal Shaun Muir concluded:

“I’m happy with Josh’s effort today. He was prepared to chip away and make changes and that last lap effort of 129mph is not far away. If we take out the run from Ginger to Ramsey where we are struggling with the bumpy stuff – apart from maybe the top couple of riders – there’s no one circulating much quicker than Josh. He’s making a good effort of the place. Ian is struggling a bit, but we’re looking at every possible angle to make the changes he needs to get comfortable on both bikes.”



Pics by Double Red
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