Brookes, HM Plant Honda take BSB 'lead'

An HM Plant Honda rider has the sole lead of the British Superbike Championship for the first time in almost three years after Josh Brookes recorded his sixth podium result of the season at Knockhill.

The Australian qualified on pole position around the Scottish circuit, but while he led the way during the early stages of race one, a problem with a spinning tyre would see him slip to an eventual third place.

However, while Brookes admits he was satisfied rather than pleased with his result, with key rival Tommy Hill down in eighth position, it means he now leads the way for the factory-backed Honda outfit.

"I am never happy with third, but a podium means that I now have the championship lead and that is what I am here for. The conditions out there were very similar to what we had at Oulton Park and I was having a bit of a problem with the stability; as the conditions were improving when I had the bike upright the tyre was spinning up and I couldn't move forward as fast as I needed to.

"I had two good starts in the first race when it was restarted - I didn't get the hole shot but I could make the passes without too much problem. In the third restart I was up there and then Kiyo and Michael passed and I was watching them but there wasn't anything I could do. I could change direction and be hard on the brakes but I was losing time getting forward drive.

"I just suffered it and came home in third, which is important for the championship, as I knew I had a gap to fourth. It is disappointing to not have had a chance to try and win the second race, but the right decision was made and now I just want to get to Snetterton."

Despite Brookes having more points, he actually remains behind Hill effectively, as the Suzuki rider has notched up more 'podium credits' for when the points are equalised three rounds from the conclusion.

HM Plant Honda is currently the only team to have both of its riders inside the top six in the overall standings.