Milwaukee Yamaha riders Suzuka-bound

MCE British Superbike stars and Milwaukee Yamaha teammates Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell have been confirmed by the Yamaha Austria Racing Team for the prestigious Suzuka 8hr race in July.

Brookes, who rode to a podium last year with the Yoshimura Suzuki team, will be joined by new teammate Tommy Bridewell and Japanese MotoGP podium finisher Kats Nagasuga, as Yamaha attempt to wrestle away the Suzuka crown from the dominant might of Honda.

Bridewell said after announcing the deal: “I’m really looking forward to it. I have been able to up my training regime in recent months so I am hoping I should be able to cope with the heat, and spending long stints on the bike, well enough. It will be a learning year for me so I am not expecting there to be a lot of pressure on me. I just want to go out there and enjoy the experience. There will be different tyres to learn but I have already been doing my homework on the track. It should be good fun.”

They look set to be only some of the British-based talent on the Suzuka grid, as last year’s YART rider Josh Waters looks set to switch not only BSB seats with Brookes but endurance too, as he takes up one of the Yoshimura Suzuki spots.

Honda will also be keen to see the return of their 2013 factory riders, and reigning champion Leon Haslam could be joined in the same team by Pata Honda teammate Jonathan Rea, who was in the lead last year until a crash from teammate Ryuichi Kiyonari ruled them out of the race.