Source: Supplied.

Australian Josh Brookes has moved to third in the standings following an exceptional weekend at Silverstone’s ninth round of the MCE British Superbike (BSB) Championship, sitting just 10 points out from the lead.

The Anvil Hire Yamaha rider lodged a 2-1-DNF at the triple-header round, although with only seven riders completing the final outing, his DNF proved to not hinder his championship position.

The BSB series now heads into its unique Showdown, which sees the top six riders levelled on 500 points, plus additional points for each podium they’ve scored throughout the season. Points are awarded as normal for the final seven races that remain.

Now right in the title hunt, Brookes is feeling confident in both his Yamaha machine and himself, mentioning he has to remain focused in order the wrap up the championship.

“Without sounding cocky, I hope it’s just confidence that I expected to be here at this point,” said Brookes. “You never can guarantee it but throughout the year I expected to be able to sit in this position.

“Today was certainly challenging, but like I said after race two today being confirmed in the showdown made it a lot easier, or certainly less stressful, but the real fight starts at the next round. I don’t know how to gauge confidence but you have to look at the facts, when I’m riding well and the bike is doing what I need it to do we are in a position to win.

“Hopefully we can manage the situation so we can stay in that range. The tracks coming up are good circuits for me, I’ve held lap records there or won races at them before, so there no reason not to be confident with the tracks we have coming up. This championship is always full of interesting circumstances, but we just have to stay focussed and not make mistakes.”

The next stop of the British Superbike Championship is slated for Oulton Park this weekend, marking the 10th edition on the 12-round calendar.