A CROWD of more than 70,000 were at a sun-drenched Silverstone on Sunday, enjoying the successful return of Motorcycle Grand Prix racing to the Northamptonshire circuit.

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo celebrated his third win of the MotoGP season, having started from pole position on Silverstone’s new Grand Prix Circuit.

But Bournemouth-based Aussie Josh Brookes geared up for the remainder of the British Superbike Champion-ship by winning both National Superstock MotoGP support races.

Swapping his Superbike Honda for a Superstock-specification machine as he took the position of the injured Steve Plater in the HM Plant team, Brookes was not disappointing as he stormed to success in the double-header.

Over 145,000 fans experienced a festival of two-wheeled motor racing over all three days of the event, making the most of Silverstone’s new and improved spectator facilities.

More than 25,000 attended on the Friday, while a crowd of just under 50,000 headed to the circuit for qualifying on Saturday.

Brookes made history by becoming the first rider to win on the all-new Arena circuit after holding off the challenges of his rivals, following an immense five-way battle on the final lap in the opening National Superstock 1000 Championship race.

The 2010 AirAsia British Grand Prix was the first bike event to inaugurate the new 3.666-mile Grand Prix Circuit and riders were full of praise for the fast, flowing nature of the new circuit layout.

While Lorenzo stole the headlines in the MotoGP class, the British crowd was also treated to a podium finish by British rider Bradley Smith, third in the 125s.

Brits Danny Webb and Scott Redding also put in strong performances in front of their home crowd, finishing tenth and fourth in the 125cc and Moto2 races respectively.

A world-class line-up of entertainment created a festival atmosphere.