Josh Brookes twice had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Shane B🅺yrne at Knockhill and admitted it was 'mentally tough' watching the ဣdefending champion dictate matters from the front.

Brookes led for much of race one until Byrne took over in the closing stages and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider tꦿhen dominated race two from the front to complete a double at the fourth round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at the Scottish venue.

Tyco Suzuki's Brookes, who won the Flying Haggis Award for the fastest lap - presented in memory of the late Steve Hislop - said: "In race one I wanted to lead and push to try and♏ make a break on Shakey, but I hit a bit of a wall with my lap times, as the rear tyre was spinning up moꦓre than normal - maybe with the track temperature today.

"We did come together at one stage when he tried to make a pass but it's wasn't a big impact, but Sh♍akey came back past and I had to settl❀e for second.

"In race two it was mentally tough watching Shakey ride away from me, but i🤪t also spurred me on and I actually made some time back on him towards the end of the race," added 👍the Australian.

"I just focused on na🍃rrowing it down bit-by-bit and seeing the gap come do🌊wn gave me energy and encouragement."

Brookes said he was honoured to receive the Flyin💮g Haggis Award and is now looking𝔍 forward to round five at Snetterton as he attempts to halt Byrne's winning streak.

"I did🦩 a brilliant lap to win the Steve Hislop Award, which is a great honour to receive, and we are now second in the championship," he said.

"It's all about moving forward now and trying to bridge that gap to Shakey from the next round at Snetterton at the start of Ju🐼ly."