Milwaukee Yamaha has announced the arrival of Josh Brookes for the 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season. Brookes will be riding alongside Tommy Bridewell as the formidable pair bid for title victory in 2014.
Australian Brookes joins the team for his sixth season in the championship as he strives to fulfil his aspirations of lifting the title after finishing runner-up twice.
Brookes is now relishing the opportunity to race a Yamaha for the first time in his career and is already preparing back home in Australia for the team’s pre-season test programme early next year.
Bridewell returns to the team following his striking performances in the final three rounds of the 2013 season when he scored an impressive three podium finishes from his first four races onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha. Bridewell has previously been a contender in the Showdown and is aiming to build on his podium finishing performances from the final rounds of this season.
The team will also continue to contest the major international road races with Ian Hutchinson returning to action at this year’s Macau Grand Prix and lining up in Milwaukee Yamaha colours again at next year’s Isle of Man TT Ulster GP and the North West 200.
Brookes, who made his road racing debut at the NW200 and TT last season, will also return to the events as he combines the two disciplines.
Brookes said: “Three years with any team is fairly long so this is a good time for a change, and I believe Milwaukee Yamaha has a package capable of winning the championship. I have never ridden a Yamaha before but I know that when Leon (Camier) rode the bike and won the title he spoke very highly of it and I have been a rival to it for a long time and it appears to be a really strong bike!
“Shaun (Muir) wanted me to be a part of the team and seems really excited about the prospect of working together next season and that makes me look forward to returning again next year with this different opportunity.”
Bridewell is also looking forward teaming up with Brookes and said, “It is great for me to be able to work with Josh too because I think we are quite similar and I think we can push each other. I ticked off one of my ambitions this year with a double podium finish, now I am ready to fight for wins!”
Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: “We are delighted to confirm our line up for next season, and all of us involved at Milwaukee Yamaha are excited at the prospect of Tommy and Josh battling for race wins from the very first race.
“I have obviously watched Josh for several seasons and admired his guile, determination and aggression. I can see these guys working well off the track and equally doing battle on it. I am sure the combination of Josh and Tommy puts us in a very strong position to win back the title in 2014.”
Be the first to comment