Source: Supplied.

Australian Josh Brookes endured a bittersweet weekend at Thruxton’s seventh round of the 2017 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (BSB).

The Anvil Hire Yamaha rider claimed a thrilling season-first victory in the opening race, and after negotiating his way into the top spot in race two, he’d suffer an untimely crash on the penultimate lap, denying him of a second-consecutive win and crucial championship points.

“I’m full of contrasting emotions really,” Brookes expressed. “I had great race one and a perfect race two until the crash, I don’t understand it, I can’t tell you why I fell off.

“I had a gap big enough not to be under pressure and I had a gap small enough not to be complacent, and I still come unstuck. If I had made a clear error and the judgement of error was my own I’d say immediately I’d made a mistake, like I did at Brands, I’m baffled.

The former BSB champion explained he needs to put the misfortune behind him, and will shift his attention towards round eight at Cadwell Park, where he’s eager to maintain his race-winning form.

“The team worked superbly all weekend,” he continued. “The bike was good enough to win both races, we almost got pole position and it could have been a great weekend, but I just need to build a bridge and get over it.

“I need to put it behind me, the team do too and we’ve shown what we’re capable of, we can’t dwell on the past. We move onto Cadwell now, it’s a great event, and it’s been a great event for me in the past so hopefully we’ll carry on the good form there.”

Brookes still maintains fifth in the championship standings, tied on points with fellow Australian Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing).