Brands Hatch BSB: Brookes wins as Lowes AND Byrne crash out!

Josh Brookes has made it two from two at Brands Hatch, taking the second win in what was possibly the most eventful race of the season, as both the champion contenders crashed out unhurt in wet conditions.

Wet conditions made tyre choice a gamble, and by the end of the first lap the surprise leaders were James Ellison and Lee Costello. However, by then championship leader Alex Lowes was already down and out, after touching Josh Brookes and hitting the deck at Druids.

Costello and Ellison, along with James Westmoreland, were able to make a break, with their choice of full wet tyres allowing them a significant advantage.

However, more drama was to follow, when the second of the title battlers, Shane Byrne, followed Lowes to the ground, again at Druids – leaving the battle for the crown to go right down to the wire in race three.

It wasn’t over, though, and a herculean effort from Brookes allowed him to claw back 21 seconds as the track dried. By the start of the last lap, he was able to make it past Ellison, and lined up Costello on the last corner to deny him his first superbike win.