McAMS Yamaha team leader Josh Brookes had a tough opening Bennetts British Superbike weekend at Donington Park but is trying to find positives from a brace of finishes outside the top ten.

Brookes was blighted with grip issues in the opening clash yesterday and 13th on the grid in today's race meant he had to fight his way through using his preferred SC0 tyre on a cold track. The Australian managed to grag some points in a race to forget.

“You have to try and find positives in every weekend but obviously it’s harder with these results. There’s a lot of guys running in the same team as last year and I think consistency of rider and team means you can hit the ground running, whereas we’re on a new bike and had limited dry track time," said Brookes.

"With a different schedule, a slip off and bad qualifying we’ve been on the back foot from the off. We had some fast times in race two today but starting from 13th meant it was hard to get through the guys in front, it’s a quality field and when it’s one dry line it’s even harder.

"I honestly think if I’d started off in a better position we’d have been close to the front looking at the lap times. I don’t think we should be too disappointed, it’s only the first round and we’re all still learning.”