BSB: Josh Brookes: Riding a Ducati is ‘infectious, sad’ to leave, Tom Sykes set for WorldSBK?
Bro🐟okes signed with FHO Racing BMW for the 2023 BSB season prior to l𒊎ast weekend’s season-finale at Brand Hatch, bringing an end to his four-year stint with Ducati.
The Australian will join Peter Hickman, winner of race two at Brands Hatch, as he makes the switch to BMW machinery for the fi🅠rst time in his BSB career - Brookes competed for BMW during the 2016 WorldSBK campaign.
But speak♊ing after Brands Hatch Brookes couldn’t hide the fact he will be sad not to ride a Ducati next season.
The two-time BSB champion said: "It’s a sad day for me as I’ve grown to love the MCE Ducati and I’m going to miss riding the bike as I think anyone who rides a Ducati will say it𝕴s infectious, like motorbikes are in gen🌳eral.
"I’ve enjoyed my time with the brand and the team as we’ve 🔯had a good time together but wh🐠o knows what the future will bring.
"As for today, I’d say it’s been my best day on the bike this year so it’s nice to end on a positive note. Seventh is not the result I want but in terms of lap times and consistency, and staying strong right up until the end, I felt﷽ better than I have done all year.
"I kept pushing and was running close to the British Champion so that’s a good achieveme💎nt in our final race together."
For Brookes’ team-mate Sykes, his return to BSB has b൩een n🃏othing short of a disappointment.
Improved form towards the end of the season resulted in a double victory at the penultimate round in Don𒈔ington Park, but for Sykes, who was recently seen at the Portimao WorldSBK ro𝓡und, is expected to seal a move back to the world championship for 2023.
With whom remains to be seen although Pucceꦑtti Kawasaki appears to be his most realistic destination.
"I can’t deny it’s been a disappointing season as I came to BSB and the PBM team to get invo💞lved and fight for the title," added Sykes.
"Unfortunately, weꦯ had some restrictions and whilst we showed what we could do at a big circuit like 𒁃Donington we ultimately couldn’t do that often enough.
"I’m upset for myself and the team as the level of talent at PBM, in ⛄all areas of the garage, deserves a lot more. Sometimes you have difficult seasons and, unfortunately, 2022 ha𝓀s been one of those years.
"I’m obviously very grateful for the opportunity at PBM and they’ve been a pleasure to work with all year so would like to wꦍish them all the best."
