August 13, 2023

Damage Limitation At Thruxton But Bridewell Still Leads

It was very much a case of damage limitation for BeerMonster Ducati riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin who, despite a challenging weekend, maintained their first and second positions in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship following the conclusion of round seven at Thruxton today.

After yesterday’s 14-lap BikeSocial Sprint race which saw Irwin finish ninth and Bridewell 14th, any hopes of improvement in today’s two 20-lap feature races didn’t materialise as both riders struggled with similar issues which they encountered with the performance characteristics of the bike while using the specified harder compound SCD tyre.   


In the opening race around the 2.35-mile circuit in Hampshire, Ulsterman Irwin started on row four with local hero Bridewell from nearby Devizes a row further back as he looked to maintain his series lead but in another hard race, Irwin crossed the line in 13th with Bridewell one place further back in 14th.

Warmer conditions ensued for the final race of the weekend and despite some major changes to Paul Bird’s factory supported BeerMonster Ducatis, whilst Irwin replicated his 13th place finish, Bridewell faded back to end up in 15th place at the chequered flag.


However, with a number of both Bridewell’s and Irwin’s main championship challengers not scoring well either, the end result is that Tommy maintains his lead with a slightly reduced margin of 26.5 points with Glenn still second but now only 24 points ahead of Thruxton treble winner, Jason O’Halloran in third.


Tommy Bridewell: “I’m slightly lost for words to be honest, and these days make the good ones even sweeter! None of us expected this and as a team we’ve struggled this weekend, but we win as a team and lose as a team, so we’ll take it on the chin and move on. If Glenn had been winning, I’d have been scratching my head, but he was only one or two places ahead of me with the other Ducati rider in the same ballpark so it’s clear the track just doesn’t suit us. I’ve lost a few points to Glenn whilst Jason has been phenomenal but the next four circuits are all good for us, so we’ll come out swinging and get back to winning ways.”


Glenn Irwin: “I’ve been working on things a lot this season and focusing on my mindset which really helps and whilst the results aren’t the best, from a championship perspective I’ve closed the gap to Tommy, and if you’d given me that at the beginning of the weekend, I’d have taken it. Hats off to Jason, he rode phenomenally well but we knew he’d be strong here as were some others. Fighting for two or three points in each race is far from ideal but the bike simply doesn’t work here. That’s just a fact and no criticism of anyone or anything so we’ll put it behind us and move on. I’ve enjoyed all the races and am content with my riding and the effort we all put in so with four strong tracks coming up, we’ll be back up front next time out.”


Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “It’s fair to say this weekend didn’t go to plan, far from it, and it’s hard to put into words. We had our reservations coming into the weekend given past history and the tyre we’d be using, but whilst we had optimism that the bike would work better, it didn’t pan out that way. You wouldn’t believe the number of settings that have gone into both bikes across the three days but unfortunately, they didn’t transfer into results, so it’s been a disappointing weekend given the results taken at previous rounds. At the same time, we know it’s a one-off and the next four tracks are some of our strongest, both for the riders and bike, so we’ll kick-start our title challenge next time out.”


Bennetts British Superbike Championship race two (20 laps)


1 Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha)


2 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)


3 Charlie Nesbitt (Honda)


4 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)


5 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)


6 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)


13 Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)


14 Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)


Bennetts British Superbike Championship race three (20 laps)


1 Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha)


2 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)


3 Charlie Nesbitt (Honda)


4 Max Cook (Kawasaki)


5 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)


6 Leon Haslam (BMW)


3 Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)


15 Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)


Championship standings (after seven rounds)


1 Bridewell 263pts


2 Irwin 236.5


3 O’Halloran 212.5


4 Ryde 208


5 Haslam 201


6 Jackson 185.5 


Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Glenn Irwin (2) and Tommy Bridewell (46)

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI END SUCCESSFUL SECOND TEST ON TOP

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.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI READY FOR DONINGTON PARK TEST

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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