Joshua Brookes has revealed he was offered a contract to graduate to the World Superbike Championship with Stiggy Motorsport in 2009, but turned it down in favour of a factory-backed seat in the British series.

In an exclusive interview with Crash.net in which Brookes answers your questions, the Australian rider played down rumours of being snubbed in favour of Leon Haslam and Roberto Rolfo, insisting he had two serious options to consider for 2009.

However, despite the opportunity to compete on the global Superbike stage once again, Brookes decided to make the switch to the British series in 2009 because he wasn't confident a ride on privateer machinery would produce anything more than mid-field results.

Pointing out his difficulties on the Alto Honda in 2007, he insists the decision to join HM Plant Honda in BSB next year was an easy choice for him as it gives him the chance to race up at the front straight away.

“The toughest thing about leaving Stiggy was the team and relationships we built up. When we heard that HM Plant Honda might be an option for 2009, we looked into it, and on balance for me, it was a much better decision to go with a factory team in BSB, than to go with a privateer team in SBK.

“I did the privateer thing with Alto, and it was a disaster. In SBK, if you're not factory, you don't win. Look at the results over the last 15 years. So whilst I wish Stiggy all the best, I am delighted to be with HM plant Honda.”

“Stiggy (Johan Stigefelt) is a great guy, and the teams are pros – that's not BS, that's the truth. It's just that HM Plant Honda is a better option for me in the future and that's pretty exciting right now.”