Anvil Hire TAG Racing's Josh Brookes is fourth in the overall MCE British Superbike standings after coming away from the Snetterton track with not one, but two podium finishes.
The 2015 BSB champion finished both events in second place and in race two looked on course to secure his debut win of the season. Eventually he was out-paced by Be Wiser Ducati's Shane Byrne, who ended up doing the double.
In the opening race Brookes was setting constantly quick lap times and decided to run with the softer option Pirelli tyres in the front and rear of his R1. The Bringelly rider admitted that the rear tyre was a bit of a concern, and that many racers were deciding whether to run the zero or SC1 compounds.
Brookes knew that he would have the pace at the start of the race but was unsure as to what his lap times would look like on the timing-screens on the softer Pirelli. But the rising track temperature definitely aided Brookes with his tyre selection this afternoon.
"We have got to be patient and we have to move on to Brands and put a better race to Shakey, and I am sure looking forward to it," said Brookes at the track.
"Early laps I was a little way back but I stepped forward as the laps went on and was able to make a few passes. To be honest the rear tyre was a bit of a concern, I think a lot of people on the grid were kind of deciding between the zero softer tyre and the one - the slightly harder one.
"The Kawasaki guys were able to work with the one a bit better than the other bikes. We went for the zero and early in the race I knew it would be consistent but towards the end I didn't know. Luckily the race settled down into a nice rhythm and Shakey was setting the pace and I was trying to run with him and get closer and it might have been a tenth or two in it between the laps but I couldn't pressure him anymore.
"I see I had a fairly decent gap to third place so that gave me a bit of breathing space to not worry about the tyre going off at the end. I think with the extra temperature today the tyre held in nicely anyway.
"That little bit extra temperature stops the tyre from tearing and helps the wear pattern a bit better and I could ride the bike consistently until the last lap. I am back on the podium and I am going to savour the moment."
