Down under back on top
After losing to Scott Redding in 2019 by five points, Josh Brookes was determined to set the record straight in 2020. It wasn’t easy, but the Aussie was finally able to secure his second British title – five years after his maiden BSB crown.
The first 10 races of the season were a mixed bag for Brookes who struggled to deliver his usual levels of consistency. Over the course of a given weekend, he could be on the podium one race, then as low as eighth in another. The main issues were chatter and also having to scrap bike setups from 2019 due to the larger, wider Pirelli tyres. The Aussie also crashed spectacularly in race three at the opening weekend following a collision with Andy Irwin. But while the early rounds were sometimes a struggle, the final eight races showcased Brookes’ vast experience, wise head and the pure outright speed that, on his day, makes him unstoppable. PBM changed their technical approach to each weekend, whilst Brookes used his head both on and off the track to secure the best possible result.
He won four of the final eight races, taking the championship lead with four races remaining. Even some good old fashioned off the track war of words with other riders wasn’t going to distract the 37-year-old as the season entered its endgame.
In a highly competitive, unpredictable season which saw new winners and fast, young rookies emerge, it was the old head that ultimately prevailed.