Mixed weekend for Brookes in BSB debut

Three-time Australian road racing champion Josh Brookes has made a topsy-turvy full-time debut in the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.

After being forced to miss the opening round with visa problems, Brookes guided his factory Honda to a solid 10th in race one, and was pushing for a top five finish in race two before being forced out with mechanical problems.

Brookes' compatriot and teammate Glen Richards powered to sixth and fifth places, while Jason O'Halloran (Honda) was eighth and 10th in the 18-lappers, both won by Yamaha's Leon Camier.

"After all the build up and anticipation of getting to the UK and my debut in the British Superbike Championship, I'm relieved, pleased and disappointed with this weekend," said Brookes.

"Relieved as the first one is now out the way, and I can start to focus on the season as a whole now and learning more of the circuits. I am pleased as we've made some huge strides forward with the set-up of my Fireblade.

"But also disappointed, as I set myself the goal of finishing a race in the top five and I was knocking at the door of that in race two before I had a misfire and had to retire just four laps from the end."

Karl Harris (Honda) and former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki) completed the same trifecta in both races at Oulton Park.

Camier leads on 88pts from Guintoli (77), Richards (52), Harris (50) and Yamaha's James Ellison (44). O'Halloran is eighth on 26pts.

In supersport, Australia's Billy McConnell guided his Yamaha to 10th place, while Triumph's Paul Young was one of a massive number of DNFs. The race was won by Honda's Daniel Cooper.

For full results and standings, click here.

Photo credit: Double Red