By Recently I asked the question on Twitter, will Josh Brookes return to pure road racing in the future?
From the 181 votes, it was a split 50/50 decision, as to whether Josh would be back in action on the roads.
I have a similar opinion to everyone who voted, it’s difficult to say if the former fastest newcomer in TT history returns to competition around the Mountain Course, Triangle and maybe in years to come compete around Dundrod and Macau.
Main highlights of 2013 and 2014 between the hedges for Josh included lapping close to the 130 mph mark, on his way to seventh place finish in the 2014 senior TT.
In the same year at the North West 200, he finished a fine third in the opening supersport race, whilst the feature superbike race, saw him embroiled in a three way dice for victory with Michael Dunlop and Alastair Seeley.
He went onto finish in second place, setting on the final lap a new outright lap record of 122.958 mph.
His TT Races debut in 2013 was watched closely by many. He was for many the most high profile newcomer to the most famous road race in the world since 2007, when Steve Plater made his debut with AIM Racing.
Top ten finish in the Dainese superbike TT, alongside becoming the fastest at the time newcomer in TT history, did’nt at all surprise many, given his talent, determination and the work he had put in, in learning the Mountain Course.
It’s difficult to say how competitive Josh would have been at TT 2015, his at the time Milwaukee Yamaha team mate Michael Dunlop endured multiple problems with the all new YZF R1M Yamaha.
Josh though would have gone into TT 2015 with more laps and more time on the YZF R1M Yamaha than Michael, so who’s to say he would’nt have caused a surprise or two.
Embarking this year on a full season in the world superbike championship with Milwaukee BMW, was TT 2014, the last time we saw Josh in pure road racing action?
In my opinion, the answer to this is no. Primarily because he has unfinished business at the North West 200 and in particular at the TT.
He’s a hugely competitive individual determined to be successful at everything he competes in, it’s no different with the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200.
Many believe that if Josh returns to pure road racing in the future, he is capable of becoming a multiple international road race winner.
I think the same, but I also believe it’s a case of whether he wants it enough. Cause racing on the roads in my opinion does not mean as much to him as say the likes of Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness, Bruce Anstey and Ian Hutchinson.
Despite this I have to say, he has the ability to become one of the world’s leading pure road racers.
Words by Stevie Rial
