Josh Brookes sets pace at Oulton Park BSB Test

2019 BSB
Oulton Park Test

Josh Brookes has put a disastrous opening round of the 2019 British Superbike Championship behind him and was back on the front foot this week with the 35-year-old topping the official BSB test at Oulton Park ahead of the Bank Holiday second round next weekend (May 4/5/6), edging ahead of Danny Buchan at the Cheshire circuit.

The 2015 champion topped the opening two sessions in the dry conditions after a tough start to his season at Silverstone last weekend; putting a massive gap of 1.067s between himself and FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s Buchan on combined times.

Josh Brookes – Be Wiser Ducati

“I am obviously really pleased to have been fastest in the dry as that is everybody’s goal. I am actually really pleased with the progress we made today as there were a few things that we needed to address and explore some setup changes. Leaving Silverstone we were disappointed but I was then focused on here and working through some setting changes we didn’t get the chance to try at Silverstone and the bike performed really well – it has been a really positive day.”

Tommy Bridewell was back at the sharp end on the Oxford Racing Ducati, clocking the third fastest time ahead of next weekend’s next two races, pushing ahead of Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon as the team continue their development work with the new S1000RR.

Peter Hickman also proved the pace of the BMWs by setting the fifth fastest time, maintaining his position ahead of Luke Stapleford on the leading Suzuki on his return to Oulton Park for the first time in three years.

Luke Mossey was seventh fastest for OMG Racing Suzuki ahead of Tarran Mackenzie who ended the day early due to the changing conditions later in the day, forging ahead of Glenn Irwin and Jason O’Halloran, who tipped off in the morning session.

The test marked the first appearance at the Cheshire circuit for Scott Redding and Xavi Forés with the pair utilising the track time to learn the challenging circuit, ending the sessions in 13th and 25th respectively.

Ben Currie continues to adapt to the Superbike and was 19th quickest on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Road race star Michael Dunlop used the day to get some all-important track time on the Tyco BMW S 1000 RR, ending the session 27th on the time-sheets, 4.4-seconds behind pace-setter Josh Brookes.

In the Superstock 1000 category Richard Cooper topped proceedings ahead of South Australia’s Billy McConnell.

Levi Day showed progress to rank inside the STK1000 top ten.

Brayden Elliott was the 16th quickest Superstock machine while Jack Kennedy topped the Supersport ranks ahead of Brad Jones.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Oulton Park BSB Official Test

1. Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) 1m:34.929s
2. Danny Buchan (FS3-Racing Kawasaki) +1.067s
3. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) +1.081s
4. Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +1.086s
5. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +1.142s
6. Luke Stapleford (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.195s
7. Luke Mossey (OMG Racing Suzuki) +1.313s
8. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +1.396s
9. Glenn Irwin (Quattro Plant – JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.757s
10. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.002s

Images by Dave Yeomans