Source: Supplied.

Josh Brookes celebrated winning his first MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title by beating arch-rival Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne in the opening race of the triple-header season finale at Brands Hatch.

Milwaukee Yamaha rider Brookes became the first Australian to win the title since Troy Bayliss in 1999.

The pair continued their season-long rivalry with an explosive start to the racing action as the pair traded blows at the front of the field in the quest for the first win of the weekend.

The Milwaukee Yamaha rider had a fight to hold off Byrne at the start and by the third lap the defending champion had scythed ahead with a decisive move down the inside at Surtees, knowing that he had to win to keep his title chase alive.

Brookes was not going to settle for second and was instantly on the counter attack, making a move back two laps later, but within two corners Byrne was back ahead as the pair continued their tense battle at the front.

By lap eight Brookes made another play for the lead and he claimed the lead at Stirlings but again Byrne came back strong with a stunning move around the outside at Clearways.

The Australian fought back though and a move on the twelfth lap at Stirlings gave the Milwaukee Yamaha rider the edge and he forcefully set the pace to edge a gap to claim the victory, taking his twelfth victory of the campaign and with it the crown.

American John Hopkins enjoyed his first podium of the season as he took third on the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati ahead of Bennetts Suzuki’s Christian Iddon while Lee Jackson on the Buildbase BMW snatched fifth place from JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison.

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