Karl Muggeridge to replace Josh Brookes in BSB

After being dumped by his world superbike team, Gold Coast’s Karl Muggeridge has found short-term employment as a replacement for countryman Josh Brookes in Honda’s British superbike team.

Brookes was handed a controversial two-meeting ban in the last round at Mallory Park, which means he will have to sit out the upcoming Brands Hatch (August 7-9) and Cadwell Park (August 29-31) outings.

Muggeridge, 35, will now fill the void, returning to a country which he first called home after he left Australia in the late 1990s. Muggeridge was fourth in the 1999 British supersport title before he moved across to the world championship.

Muggeridge was also the 2004 world supersport champion.

"It has been a long time since I last raced in the UK, but it is refreshing for me to be back with a great team and bike,” said Muggeridge, who lives in Switzerland.

“It has been a pretty hard last three years for me but I am ready for this challenge.

“I am back to full fitness now after the big crash I had in world superbike and am looking forward to Brands Hatch. I tested the HM Plant Honda Fireblade at Cadwell Park last week and I gelled straight away with the team and it was great for me to be back working with them again.

“The bike feels great too, although of course we still have some work to do on set-up to suit my style. I have always liked the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit and this is a fantastic opportunity for me. I have had success in the UK before so I am hoping that I can come back strong next weekend."

Muggeridge will be joined by Steve Brogan at Brands Hatch, who will be deputising for the second Aussie rider at HM Plant, Glen Richards, who is still out with broken leg.

At Cadwell Park, Isle of Man legend John McGuinness will fill in for Richards.