Brookes destroys bike - and top five finish.

Josh Brookes saw by far his best result of the 2006 Corona Extra World Superbike season disappear in a cloud of gravel and spray during race one at Assen on Sunday.

The young Australian, who began the season on a Ducati in World Supersport, had qualified his Bertocchi Kawasaki in 20th position - but the pouring rain helped negate machinery disadvantages and he was able to charge all the way up to fourth by the time he fell with 8 of the 22 laps remaining.

"I guess that's what you call experience," sighed Josh. "I was pushing from the start, the rain was pissing down and I rode the arse off my bike. With everyone going down, I just kept it on the whole race and found myself in fourth. I know now I should have buttoned off and ridden around to the finish, but I just kept racing. It was really slippery and I just lost it. The bike was destroyed and I lost my chance for a top five result. A big lesson learnt."

Brookes was forced to put that experience to use in the dry second race, which he went on to finish in 15th on his spare bike.

"Race two was survival," he said. "I got caught in the first corner incident, then got hit in the side a couple of corners later and was pushed off the track. When I rejoined, I was nowhere and just knew I had to finish the best I could. This time I rode smarter - my second bike was such a handful that I just did the best I could. 15th is not that great, but at least I got a point."