Via WorldSBK.com

There will be one more Australian rider on the starting-grid at the opening round of the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship as Joshua Brookes takes to the field. The 28-year-old from Sydney, who has been racing in BSB for the last couple of years with TAS Suzuki (Tyco Suzuki this year) has been drafted in as a replacement for John Hopkins in the Crescent Fixi Suzuki team, following the American's crash on the opening day of private testing at the Phillip Island track.

Although Brookes' participation has not yet been confirmed, the chances of Hopkins being available are very slim. For this reason the Aussie took to the track on the final day of the test, hoping to familiarize himself with the team and the bike.

Read the rest of the story over at WorldSBK.com