Brookes powers to victory, disaster for Redding

Brands Hatch GP BSB - Race Results (1) 

Josh Brookes picked up a hard-fought third win of the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season at a soggy Brands Hatch as erstwhile series leader Scott Redding paid the price for a poor tyre choice in tricky conditions.

A race of two halves for Brookes, the Australian ran as low as tenth place early on before working his way back into contention on a drying track, denying Dan Linfoot when he passed with just two laps of the race remaining.

Indeed, with the field tip-toeing initially on the slick surface, Jason O’Halloran got the hole-shot from Linfoot and Tommy Bridewell, though it was the latter two riders that quickly ascended into the lead fight, the Oxford Racing Ducati rider heading the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha man.

With the pair coming under increasing pressure from Brookes – who had worked his way up to third by three-quarters distance – Linfoot planted a pass on Bridewell at Clearways on lap 15 and attempted to escape away.

However, Brookes was soon on his tail, the Australian carrying his momentum past into the lead with just over two laps remaining to claim a sixth consecutive win for the Be Wiser Ducati team.

Despite missing out on the win, second place marks a welcome boost for the TAG Yamaha squad after a trio of DNFs last time out at Donington Park and while Bridewell’s victory wait continues on, his fifth podium of the year earns him the championship lead ahead of Redding.

Indeed, it was a disappointing start to race day for the ex-MotoGP rider after gambling on an intermediate rear tyre in contrast to his wet shod rivals. However, it would become quickly evident it was an erroneous choice as Redding plummeted from pole position to last within a few corners.

Unfortunately for Redding, he wouldn’t get up to speed even as conditions improved, finishing well down the order but earning himself a shot at redemption in race two by securing pole position for his fastest lap.

Danny Buchan crossed the line in fourth position to strengthen his Title Showdown hopes, seeing off the BMW challenge of Peter Hickman, Keith Farmer and Christian Iddon in fifth, sixth and seventh respectively, while O’Halloran – the sole competing McAMS Yamaha rider after Tarran Mackenzie was forced to withdraw – fading to eighth.

Brothers Andrew and Glenn Irwin rounded out the top ten, with Luke Mossey, James Ellison, Luke Stapleford, Xavi Fores and Josh Elliott completed the points’ reckoning.