August 22, 2023

BeerMonster Ducati Aim To Bounce Back At Cadwell

After a tough weekend at the previous round, BeerMonster Ducati riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin are aiming to bounce back in style when round eight of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Cadwell Park this bank holiday weekend.

Despite the disappointment of Thruxton, Paul Bird’s riders still occupy first and second in the standings heading into the final four rounds with Bridewell holding a 26.5-point advantage over teammate Irwin, who in turn is 24 points ahead of third placed Jason O’Halloran.


Bridewell, from Devizes in Wiltshire, has won six races so far this season which he’s backed up with seven additional podiums whereas Irwin, from Carrickfergus in County Antrim, has four victories to his name as well as six podiums for the Lake District-based team.

In contrast to the wide-open sweeps of Thruxton, the undulating nature of Cadwell Park is expected to suit the BeerMonster Ducatis better in front of what is expected to be the biggest crowd of the season at the Lincolnshire venue whereby Tommy and Glenn will be aiming to reassert their authority.


Bridewell has a great record at Cadwell Park which includes a win and ten podiums, seven of which have come in his last eight Cadwell Park races aboard Ducati machinery. Irwin, meanwhile, who celebrates his 200th Bennetts BSB start in Sunday’s opening BikeSocial sprint race, has race-winning pedigree in the Supersport class at Cadwell so will be looking to grab that first BSB win around the 2.18-mile track. 


Tommy Bridewell: “Cadwell Park has been a happy hunting ground for me in the past and I’ve had some really good results over recent years on a Ducati, so the plan is to continue that run. I know for a fact the bike is really strong around there and I’m looking forward to getting back to the circuits I know we’ll be competitive at, starting this weekend. I love Cadwell Park as it’s so unique and it suits my riding style also, plus it’s the polar opposite to Thruxton and you have to be pin-perfect everywhere. We need to get back to the sharp end where I know we should be, and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to bounce back.”


Glenn Irwin: “I know Cadwell Park really well as I’ve done a lot of testing there over the years when I rode for Honda and it’s a round I always look forward to. I had pole position there in 2021 and led the race but was riding injured so couldn’t wrap the victory up. This year with the Ducati, it’s a challenge I’m particularly relishing as I know how good Tommy has been in recent years on the older-spec bike. We know the 2023 bike will work well and after the disappointment of Thruxton, it’s vitally important we get back to being competitive and for me to keep chipping away at the lead and keep the pressure on Tommy.”     


Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Glenn Irwin (2) and Tommy Bridewell (46) head for round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park this weekend.

April 19, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team continued its strong testing form at Donington Park as rider Glenn Irwin once again ended the two days fastest overall. Although the team is still not concentrating on lap times, Irwin picked up where he left off at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month as he led the way on Friday before going even quicker on Day Two with an impressive fastest lap of 1min 27.015s in the final session. After a strong first test where he topped the timesheets at Navarra, the team headed to the second R&G Official test at Donington Park looking to work on a number of different things. Irwin was consistently quick across the opening day, ending Friday fastest overall with a 1:27.022sec lap in the final session to end the day at the top of the timesheets with what was the fastest ever BSB lap of the iconic track. Along with most of the pack, he opted to sit out of Saturday morning’s first session due to track conditions, heading out for the second to work through a few more things. He again shot to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:27.468, before later going one better in the final session to clock his new fastest ever lap. Glenn Irwin: “It’s been really good, like Navarra, we’ve continued with a plan. Yesterday we had a really, really strong bike here and conditions were a little better. Today conditions were tougher with the wind but everyone still finds a way to go fast. “We probably persevered with a bike which is suited to the final sector, perhaps Turn One as well. As the day went on I realised we were losing a bit in some places but we stuck with it. “It’s pleasing because I would say that isn’t the bike of choice for here, perhaps maybe yesterday's bike was better, but to top today feeling like that, to do a lot of laps in the 27s with improved pace on old tyres is good. The test has definitely been a success.” John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “I think it’s been a positive test where we’ve confirmed a number of test items over the two days. We had slightly better conditions yesterday than today but I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, gone fairly quick so it’s all positive – roll on Oulton Park. “The plan there is more of the same, just keep trying to understand the new tyre, try and work with it. I think longevity is going to be the key now for Oulton Park, we’ll do a couple of race runs, see how the tyre lasts and then get ready for Round One.” The team will now prepare for the final test at Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24 which will be the last chance to get everything ready ahead of the first round of the 2025 season at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
April 17, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin head to Donington Park this week for the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship R&G Official Test. After a strong run at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month, the team is looking forward to getting back on track in the UK, as the countdown to the start the 2025 season continues.  The iconic Donington Park will play host to the second pre-season test on Good Friday and Saturday, before the class of 2025 heads to Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, for the final test before the season begins over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The team is looking to build on the success of the Navarra test, where Irwin was consistently quick, setting the pace on the first day before topping the timesheets at the end of the event with a best lap of 1min 44:527s. But keen not to get caught up focusing on lap times yet, Irwin is more concerned about getting through as much work as possible during the two days and making sure the important boxes are ticked. Glenn Irwin: “We’re all looking forward to it. At Navarra, it was important we worked through a number of things which are different this year and it was a great test – but it’s important that we don’t get complacent. “At Donington we’ve more new items to try and we’ve got a list of work to get through, which will be our priority. Once we’ve done all that and have a good feeling, I think we can show up well on the timesheets, but more so in race rhythm than in one-off fast laps. “At Navarra, we found areas where I was weak last year but not this year so we were able to use this as a reference. At Donington, we know the track well and have an idea of where we need to be but for me it’s about continuing to evaluate what we have and understanding the feeling of everything rather than get too hung up on what the timesheet says. If it feels good and we’re good, we’re happy!” Jordan Bird, Team Co-owner: The whole Hager PBM Ducati team is looking forward to being back on home soil for the first time this year. Navarra was a really productive test for us so the team and Glenn are heading into our UK testing program in great spirits! “We are looking forward to seeing plenty of BSB fans trackside at Donington Park. Let’s hope the sun is shining for us!”
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