Josh Brookes feels he’s now able to battle at the sharp end after grabbing his best qualifying position this season as he lines up second on the grid for tomorrow's opening Bennetts British Superbike clash at Snetterton.

The 2015 BSB champion praised his McAMS Yamaha’s new engine specification after finishing third in practice yesterday, admitting he had finally found what he needed to push to where he felt he should be.

And despite not breaking into the low 1’46 lap times that riders clocked in last year’s qualifying at the Norfolk circuit, Brookes says he’s happy to be in contention for the top spot.

“I was only one tenth quicker than what I had done in 2015 around this circuit, so we are improving,” he said. “I did have to lay it on the line to get a result but what’s important is that we’re back in range now.

“It’s been a difficult start to the season for us and the significant point for me is not the lap time but that I’m up there fighting for the front positions again.”

“We’ve made a big step with the bike this round with the change of engine spec, so the engine spec now is more the way I want to ride the bike.

“I’ve had to sit and wait patiently at the start of the year for things to improve but hopefully this is a sign of things to come.”