Be Wiser Ducati rider Scott Redding was crowned the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike champion following a consistent performance at the final triple-header round at Brands Hatch.

The 26-year-old, from Quedgeley in Gloucestershire, edged out Australian Be Wiser Ducati team-mate Josh Brookes to become the first-ever rookie to win the BSB title after three calculated podium finishes to add to his 11 wins, sealing the title by five points as a result.

The former MotoGP rider, who moves into the World Superbike Championship with Ducati next season, took a second place and a brace of thirds to secure the title over two days of fine and dry weather at the Kent circuit and in front of another massive crowd.

For 36-year-old Brookes, he couldn’t have done any more as he romped to a hat-trick of wins at his favourite track to reduce the deficit from 28 points arriving at Brands Hatch. Brookes took his tally of victories to 10 for the season to finish runner-up in the series.

The results saw Paul Bird’s Langwathby-based team clinch their seventh BSB title and first-ever one-two on their way to dominating the series with 21 wins from the 27 races.

During the year, they secured no less than seven one-two finishes to be confirmed as worthy champions.

After their first and third place finishes on Saturday, the two riders followed that up with a bruising final lap to claim a thrilling first and second in Brookes’ favour in the second encounter to set up a thrilling finale.

The final race of the season saw both riders start from the front row once more with Redding needing just a fifth-placed finish to take his maiden BSB crown. Brookes again grabbed the lead off the line and ultimately led from start to finish to take his 49th career win to elevate him to the third most successful rider in BSB history.

Redding said: “After a few lean years, we came here to try and win the championship and we did it!

"It means so much to me to win this and I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support, and it feels so good to have so many people behind me.

"I had a small problem in the second race and had to be so gentle on the bike and simply concentrated on finishing in third.

"In the first race, I felt really comfortable and felt I could have a go at winning as that’s always my goal, so I had a go on the last lap, although I knew Josh would come straight back at me.

"The last thing I wanted to do was crash and I was very mindful of the fact I needed to finish so took the second place.

"I’m over the moon to have won the BSB Championship and we’re going to have a big party!"

Brookes said: "I came here with the objective of winning all three races and that’s exactly what I’ve done, so I can’t not be happy with how this weekend has gone. It’s, ultimately, elsewhere where I’ve lost out on the championship.

"A championship is judged on the whole year, not just one weekend and there are opportunities at every round to get points. There hasn’t been any time this year where I don’t think I could have done better but I can’t deny the fact I’m disappointed not to be returning in 2020 with the number one plate.

"I’m looking forward to next season and, although Scott won’t be figuring, there’ll always be someone to step up and there’ll be plenty more challenges ahead."