THE 2011 British Superbike series opened at Brands Hatch with Huddersfield brothers Jonathan and James Lodge going head-to-head.

Having decided not to defend the 125cc crown that he won in 2009 and 2010, James has now stepped up to the National Superstock 600 championship to compete alongside his brother – Jonathan having already raced in the category in previous seasons.

Going into the first outing James was looking forward to a good run after getting to grips with his new ride in testing over recent months.

“It’s a new challenge for me as it is my first season of racing 600cc bikes, but I’ve been doing a lot of testing and I’m starting to get to grips with the new bike,” said James.

“I’m riding an Earnshaws Motorcycles backed Kawasaki ZX6-R in the series, and I am aiming to just settle in and get used to racing these different bikes.

“In the early stages I’d be happy to get in the top 25 as the competition is so strong and there are 60 or more entrants. My aims for further into the season are to be scoring points consistently, and hopefully getting into the top 10 regularly towards the end of the season. I think for now we just have to get the bike working to suit my riding style.”

However, at Brands Hatch, it was to be Jonathan, who has secured a ride on a Triumph 675 for the ANR-TSS team, who enjoyed the better fortune.

Jonathan’s pre-season testing had been very encouraging, despite the fact that his build up to the season had been knocked off course when a fall led to him breaking a finger.

However, his times suggested that a top-10 placing was an achievable target from the off and so it proved at the Kent circuit.

Jonathan came home in an impressive ninth place, while James will be looking to get round the course at this weekend’s meeting at Cheshire’s Oulton Park, the scene of his 2010 125cc British championship victory last season, after having being knocked off his bike in a crash on lap 11.