Australian Josh Brookes is eager to return to the podium at this weekend’s second round of the British Superbike Championship at Thruxton, the site of his maiden BSB rostrum one year ago.

The former ASBK champion and World Supersport number three had a rocky start at Brands Hatch’s season opener over the Easter long weekend, finishing fifth in race one before crashing his HM Plant Honda out of race two in spectacular fashion before the midway point of the race.

“I am looking forward to going to Thruxton at the weekend as it was the first place I took a BSB podium finish last year,” Brookes commented this week. “For me, it is also special as it is close to my home in Wimbourne, so I get a bit of local support which is always good.”

Brookes is a fan of the Thruxton circuit, looking to open his account for race victories in 2010 come Sunday.

“Thruxton is an amazing place, there’s nowhere like it in the world. A lot of the tracks in Britain are quite small and twisty by international standards, but not Thruxton. It’s fast, wide open and exciting and I absolutely love going there,” he continued.

Speaking of the Brands Hatch disappointment, Brookes is happy to look past it and move on for the rest of the season, knowing that he has the pace to win races as a championship contender this season.

“Brands Hatch wasn’t the best weekend for me, but that’s done now and I intend on getting back on the podium at Thruxton,” he said. “The aim, as always, is of course to win and give the HM Plant Honda team the first one of the season.”