Brookes clears off for opening Assen win

Josh Brookes has gone clear of the chasing pack at Assen to extend his MCE British Superbike championship lead, taking the opening race win by nearly seven seconds from Showdown rival James Ellison.

Brookes effectively led from start to finish, with only Ellison able to go with him in the early stages. However, the pair soon separated, to finish well clear of a chasing pack for third.

John Hopkins, Shane Byrne and Michael Laverty all shared the final podium spot, but it was the Tyco BMW of Laverty that eventually took the place, holding off a last lap charge from reigning champion Byrne.

Hopkins took fifth, ahead of Richard Cooper and Christian Iddon, with the duo able to run with but not interfere in the fight ahead of them.

Showdown contender Tommy Bridewell was eighth, ahead of Peter Hickman and Danny Buchan to round out the top ten, while the final of the top six Dan Linfoot was a distant fourteenth after suffering from grip problems.