Source: Supplied.

Josh Brookes has expressed his satisfaction of claiming his first podium of the 2018 British Superbike Champion (BSB) at Snetterton’s fourth stop over the weekend.

After securing fourth in race one, the Australian bounced back in the second outing with a thrilling performance that saw a three-way battle unfold on the last lap.

The McAms Yamaha rider dived under Leon Haslam (JG Speedlift Kawasaki) to retake the lead, although contact with the points leader while charging down the straight demoted Brookes to third as Jake Dixon (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki) snatched the runner-up spot by just 0.089s.

“Race two was fantastic and I really enjoyed it,” Brookes explained. “Even though I came third I still enjoyed being part of the battle. Of course I love winning but I love riding my bike as well and when I’m fighting around places where I don’t feel like I belong it’s quite frustrating, so now to actually be in the chase and the fight for the podium is really good.

“Leon came past and I just tried to fight back straight away. I didn’t want to let him get away – I just wanted to try to stuff his race up, to create the battle. And when he was in front he wasn’t massively pulling away, we were both suffering from rear grip so it was fairly even stevens.

“It was always going to be a roll of the dice and see what happens. Certainly I came out of the last corner thinking I had a chance but I wasn’t exactly sure and I went over to the left because I thought Leon would be closing in on that side but he came past far quicker than I anticipated.”

The podium has promoted Brookes to sixth in the championship standings as the series heads to Knockhill on 6-8 July.