It’s set to be a big year for British talent, Joe Brookes as he has signed a deal with the 426 Motorsports team who won the British MX2 championship last year with Isak Gifting. Brookes has been working hard and had a good start to the season at Sommières International finishing 10-18 in the MX2 moto’s in some French hard pack conditions.
This weekend, Brookes will be racing closer to home in the UK at the famous Hawkstone International and will be looking forward to running at the front of the MX2 class.
We caught up with Brookes after the Sommières International.
GateDrop: Joe, you’ve signed with the 426 Motorsports team for 2024. Big shoes to fill after Isak Gifting won the MX2 British title last year… But you must have been happy to secure a ride with the team?
Brookes: I’m very excited to have the opportunity to run under the 426 motorsports banner this season, I have a great team around me and I’m looking forward to the 2024 season.
GateDrop: How has your winter preparation gone so far? Have you stayed in the UK or been riding in Europe?
Brookes: My winter preparations have gone very well leading up to this season, I have been training out in Spain for a couple weeks getting comfortable with the bike and feeling stronger day by day.
GateDrop: Have you changed much up this winter or kept things similar to previous years?
Brookes: This off season has been a bit different to previous years mainly due to me being able to ride more and having some very experienced people around me which has massively improved my riding and fitness.
GateDrop: You just raced the Sommières International and had a very solid day. Can you talk me through your moto’s?
Brookes: Yes we raced the Sommières international the weekend and I was very pleased with how it went against a strong lineup. In moto one, I had a good start inside the top four and managed to settle into a good rhythm in around seventh place until the last couple laps a few little mistakes crept in and a few riders past me. In moto two, unfortunately I didn’t get the best start and came together with another rider on the first lap which made it a tough race but I still gained some invaluable experience against some top riders.
GateDrop: You were battling with some top EMX250 riders so that must help the confidence heading into 2024?
Brookes: For sure it was a good confidence booster being able to mix it up with the top riders in the EMX250 class. It has also given us a few places we need too work on to iron out some mistakes and make 2024 a strong season.
GateDrop: You’ve got Hawkstone International this weekend with some rough sand, you must be looking forward to that one? It is always packed!
Brookes: I’m really looking forward to Hawkstone it’s always a great event and packed full of riders and spectators. Hopefully the English weather will hold off as much as possible too allow for some great racing but nevertheless I’m really looking forward too it.
GateDrop: For 2024, what’s your expectations for the EMX250 and British Championships?
Brookes: For this season I’m just going to give 100% effort and see where we stack up. It’s going to be a very strong lineup in both the British and the EMX250 series and I’m really looking forward too showing my full potential.
GateDrop: You have experience racing the EMX250 series, what’s your thoughts on the series? There’s so much talent and a lot of variety when it comes to tracks…
Brookes: I raced a few EMX250 races last season and I think the series is really well organised. It’s great to be able to race on the best tracks in the world with the fastest riders and is a big help for when you come back to race in Britain.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Image: Kevin Frelaud/Dailymotocross.fr
