In his first round with the FHO Racing BMW outfit, Australian Josh Brookes returned to the top step at Silverstone and has emerged with the early British Superbikes Championship (BSB) lead following the opening races of the season.

Brookes made the switch from MCE Ducati for 2023, and while he spent time racing with success on an M 1000 RR in Australia during the off-season, Silverstone marked his first competitive outing with the FHO program.

The number 25 topped the final pre-season test at Silverstone, and qualified third fastest, just 0.109s from pole position at round one of the 2023 championship on the national circuit. He crossed the line third in the sprint race, before edging Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) in the red-flagged race two to return to the top step.

Brookes later concluded the event with a runner-up result in the final encounter, and leaves Silverstone with a two-point championship lead.

“It’s perfect, to lead the championship after the first round is ideal,” Brookes said. “You know, we are always optimistic we are going to have a good bike, good package, but to get into the opening round and have three podiums is ideal. We are in a perfect place to build for the rounds to come.”

“I think as a racer and as a competitor you always have this idea that everything will go smoothly and you’ll win everything. I think it’s natural for competitors to have that mindset, so I always believed that if things were good we could do this and better, but you also have this realistic mind that it’s a difficult series, lots of good riders and it’s always hard fought racing and you can never be sure you are gonna get good results like this, so definitely pleased to take these positions.

“I have spent a lot of time thinking about the moment when I would win again, when I was winning regularly you would think it would just come. The last two years have been hard, people start to doubt you and I don’t blame them for that. It feels good to win for myself, the team, and it is a feeling of success.”

Brookes’ top step success in Silverstone marks his first BSB victory since 2020, with the two-time champion carrying positive momentum as the series moves to Oulton Park for round two on 29 April – 1 May.