Brookes to partner Redding at Be Wiser Ducati for 2019

Josh Brookes will switch to the Be Wiser Ducati squad alongside Scott Redding to complete the team’s 2019 Bennetts British Superbike championship line-up.

The 2015 BSB champion returned to the national series in 2017 after a year in World Superbikes and finished runner-up with customer outfit Anvil Hire Yamaha following a dramatic final round at Brands Hatch.

Brookes made the move to factory-assisted McAMS Yamaha this season but has endured an inconsistent charge, with three wins and three additional podiums to his name so far this year, having made the BSB Showdown. But after the results at the penultimate round at Assen, Brookes is mathematically out of the title picture and leads the battle for third place in the riders’ standings.

The Australian rider has opted for the bold switch to the Paul Bird Motorsport-run Be Wiser Ducati squad to team-mate Redding in 2019 with both riders set to debut the V4 Panigale.

Brookes says given his rivalry with Shane Byrne during his BSB career the link-up with PBM was unlikely but with the six-time BSB champion leaving the team following his serious injury the Australian rider felt it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“PBM have been the benchmark during much of my time in BSB and have always set the bar very high,” Brookes said. “With Shakey being my arch-rival, I never really saw myself riding alongside him but when things changed, it became a real consideration, although I wish him a full recovery.

“The Be Wiser Ducati V4 will be an awesome bike and I’m excited to be a part of this, and to start winning regularly again. I know the team will be at the forefront once again in 2019 and I’m really looking forward to this challenge.”

Having completed his 2019 BSB rider line-up, Bird is relishing the prospect of ‘a new era’ for his team and to fight to regain the title next season.

“We are the first team to announce our riders and plans for 2019 so we can now concentrate on winning the BSB title back next year which is our sole aim,” Bird said. “Josh is a quality act who is totally focused on winning and is capable of that when he has the right tools as he has proved.

“We will give him exactly what he needs, as we will Scott, and that should provide some healthy rivalry within the garage. This is an exciting time and a new era for PBM and we can’t wait to get started in our quest.”

Along with Redding, Brookes is also aiming for at least one World Superbike wildcard with Be Wiser Ducati which will be confirmed once the 2019 race calendar is finalised.

Brookes becomes the fifth BSB rider confirmed for the 2019 grid following Redding's switch to Be Wiser Ducati, Glenn Irwin's move to JG Speedfit Kawasaki, Bradley Ray's re-signing at Buildbase Suzuki and Joe Francis' graduation up to the championship for the full season with PR Racing BMW.