Missed opportunities for Visiontrack’s Brookes and Iddon at Oulton Park

Despite missed opportunities in races two and three, Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon have inched their way closer to the title fight after combining for three podiums. 

Iddon sits 33 points down, while Brookes is a further 18 behind his team-mate - 52 off new championship leader Tarran Mackenzie. 

Brookes, who took second place in race one and three, could have clinched a similar result in race two had he not crashed on the final lap, a fall which left the defending champion ‘distraught’ following his huge upturn in form. 

Brookes added: "It’s been a mixed day and I’m distraught with dropping the bike on the last lap of the first race today, not just for losing points but for actually doing it as that’s not me. 

"I lost a place on the last lap yesterday so was determined it wasn’t going to happen again and wanted to maintain my pace right up until the end, but I just lost the front. 

"However, the team did a great job in getting the bike ready for race two and whilst I could only admire Tommy riding into the distance, I think we can be proud of the result. 

"Of course, I want to win but to come from as far back as what we were a few weeks ago, to where we are now is testament to everyone’s hard work and we can be content with a brace of seconds this weekend. The championship’s been turned on its head and I’ll keep fighting as always."

Iddon, who endured a tough middle part of the campaign as several crashes dented his title hopes, also showed more consistency throughout the weekend to claim a race one podium. 

And with Jason O’Halloran having an uncharacteristically poor weekend - two crashes - chances to close the gap were there to be had. 

However, Iddon wasn’t able to replicate his podium success in either of Sunday races, and instead had to settle for just five points in race three after contact with Mackenzie.  

"Like Josh, I’ve had a mixed day but whilst it would have been nice to have got the gap to the leaders below 25 points, it’s still only 33 and it’s still all to play for," said Iddon. 

"But with the two McAMS Yamahas faltering, I can’t help but think it’s a missed opportunity. 

"Fourth in the first race today was ok and I just didn’t have the power to fight at the end so had to settle for the position whilst I was having a problem with the brakes in the second race. 

"Taz didn’t leave me any room and off I went into the gravel trap. I was able to hold onto the bike though and who knows how valuable those five points could be."