Brookes returning to world superbike

Australia's reigning British superbike champion Josh Brookes will step up to the world superbike scene in 2016, riding a BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR.

Brookes will stick with the same team (Shaun Muir Racing) and sponsor (Milwaukee) that took him to British success in 2015, but the biggest change will be switching from the Yamaha YZF-R1M to the S 1000 RR, a bike he has never ridden before.

Brookes' teammate will be former MotoGP rider, the Czech Republic's Karel Abraham.

“I’m excited to be back in WorldSBK and to go there with the same team I won the BSB title with is perfect,” Brookes said. “I haven’t raced a BMW before, but the bike and factory are proven and I am certain it will be competitive.

"Having the support of BMW Motorrad Motorsport is crucial to our efforts and having their experts on-site with us will be a big help. We will test early in January before heading to Phillip Island and I am looking forward to riding in front of my home fans.”

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BMW Motorrad Motorsport will provide technical support to the team with engine and electronics, while Milwaukee BMW will be responsible for the development of the bike during the season as well as managing the sporting and logistical aspects of the campaign.

Brookes has enjoyed previous stints in both the world superbike and supersport titles, winning two races in the latter — including a memorable victory over compatriot Kevin Curtain in 2004 at Phillip Island. He has been a full-time rider in the British superbike title since 2009.

The Milwaukee outfit is the second team to announce its participation on the 2016 WorldSBK grid with the S 1000 RR, after Althea Racing recently confirmed that it will be using the German hardware with Jordi Torres and Markus Reiterberger.