Source: Supplied.

Australia’s Josh Brookes will make a return to the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan on 28-31 July, rejoining the Yoshimura Suzuki squad in which he placed second with three years ago.

According to reports on Bikesportnews.com this week, Brookes will partner Moto2 World Champion Johann Zarco and Japanese ace Takuya Tsuda for the penultimate 2016 World Endurance round.

“I like the Suzuka race, even though you ride round telling yourself you will never do this again and then as soon as it is is over, you’re wondering what you can do differently next year,” Brookes told Bikesportnews.com.

“I am looking forward to having Zarco as a teammate as he is a world champion, but also I am interested in how he adapts to a Superbike after his Moto2 experience – it’s not often that Superbike and MotoGP people get in the same team, so I am curious to see what he says.”

The move comes out of left field, with reigning British champion Brookes gaining special permission from his current Milwaukee BMW World Superbike Championship team to contest the Japanese classic on board a Suzuki.