May 21, 2023

Double Donington Podium For BeerMonster Ducati

BeerMonster Ducati riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin remain in first and second places respectively in this year’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship after they bounced back from disappointment in the opening race today to claim second and third in the final race of the weekend at a sun kissed Donington Park.

Bridewell and teammate Irwin lined up in third and fourth places on the grid aboard the F23-specification V4R BeerMonster Ducatis for the first 20-lap race around the 2.5-mile GP circuit, but the race started in the worst possible fashion for Irwin when he was pushed wide at the first corner dropping all the way back to 16th.
 
Bridewell also struggled off the line and slipped back to eighth but a lap later he was up to fifth and by lap five he’d moved into the podium positions. Irwin’s race was over, however, as he crashed out uninjured at Redgate Corner.

That just left Bridewell to fly the flag for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team, and all was going to plan when he hit the front for the first time on lap 11 before a safety car bunched the pack back up. Racing resumed on lap 15 and although he briefly lost the lead, Tommy was back in front on lap 16 as he tried to keep the five riders immediately behind him at bay. Sadly, a technical issue saw him slow with three laps to go and his race came to an unfortunate end in retirement.
 
Despite the disappointment, Tommy’s pace enabled him to start the final race of the weekend from pole position although Glenn had considerably more work to do from the fourth row of the grid. Both riders made good starts though, especially Glenn as he gained four places on the opening lap, with Tommy running solidly in third.
 
Tommy was soon up to second and chasing yesterday’s race winner, Kyle Ryde, but in a carbon copy of the day before, he was unable to find a way by and ultimately had to settle for second place although the result did allow him to reclaim the title lead.
 
Glenn, meanwhile, steadily progressed forward and moved into the final podium spot on lap 13. His pace slowed slightly towards the end of the race, but he had enough in the tank to hold off his rivals to see him now just three points behind his teammate.
 
Tommy Bridewell: “I was a little bit deflated after the first race, but we turned it around and whilst it’s always disappointing to have a technical issue, it’s ended up being a strong weekend for both me and the team with two podiums. Donington has seen mixed results for Ducati in the past but full credit to the team as you could see how strong the bike was. Kyle just had that little bit extra which meant I couldn’t get close enough to make a pass in the last race. Both the team and I are putting in so much effort and the season is shaping up quite nicely for us.”
 
Glenn Irwin: “We arrived at Donington excited about the weekend, but it turned out to be harder than the previous rounds so full credit to everyone in the team to end the weekend with two BeerMonster Ducatis on the podium once more. The crash was just one of those things and no-one’s fault, but we bounced back well, and I think we’ll be even stronger when we get to the circuits which are upcoming. Donington was a strong track for the Yamaha, but Kyle rode faultlessly as did Tommy and although we were running out of tyre at the end, we got the job done and 1-2 in the championship is a pretty good place to be ahead of the break.”
 
Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “It’s disappointing to have had two DNFs in the second race as we pride ourselves on finishing every race but full credit to everyone in the team for turning it around. Tommy showed good pace all weekend and ran at the sharp end in all three races so it was a shame he had the technical issue as he may have won if the safety car hadn’t come out. He bounced back brilliantly as did Glenn especially as he came from the fourth row of the grid. Kyle and the Yamaha were strong so fair play to them, but we go into the break 1-2 in the championship, so we’ll evaluate everything and look to come out at round four even stronger.”
 
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Race Two (20 laps)
1 Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha)
2 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
3) Josh Brookes (BMW)
4) Leon Haslam (BMW)
5) Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)
6) Charlie Nesbitt (Honda)
DNF Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)
DNF Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati
 
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Race Three (20 laps)
1 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
2 Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)
3 Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
4 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
5 Christian Iddon (Kawasaki)
6 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)
 
Championship Standings (after three rounds)
1 Bridewell 119pts
2 Irwin 116
3 Brookes 114
4 Haslam 110
5 Ryde 109
6 O’Halloran 70
 
Images courtesy of Double Red: Glenn Irwin (2) and Tommy Bridewell (46) in action at Donington Park

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!”

SUCCESSFUL OPENING TEST AS IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI TOP NAVARRA TIMESHEETS

April 8, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team is heading home from the first official Bennetts British Superbike test of the year feeling confident about the season ahead following a strong two days on track in Spain. The team and rider Glenn Irwin joined the class of 2025 at the first of the R&G Official BSB tests at Circuito de Navarra in Northern Spain, ending the event fastest overall, with a best lap of 1min 44.537secs. The team used the two days on track to work on a number of areas, with a particular focus on a new, updated lower seat unit and the new 2025 Pirelli tyre. And despite not putting any pressure on themselves to chase lap times, Irwin still clocked the best lap of the event, sticking in his best lap time during in Monday morning’s session to top the overall timesheets. Glenn Irwin: “We came to Navarra with the objective of just working with the guys again which has been fun. The layout here has improved a lot, it’s a really, really good track now, hopefully we can return. “We had quite a lot of things to try, my Ducati from last year to this is a very different bike but it’s been enjoyable to ride, I feel really comfortable on the bike. “We ended the test fastest which isn’t so important, but we were low into the’45s with 20-plus laps on the tyres every time we exited the pits. No new tyres this afternoon and lots of really good race pace. “The guys adapted the bike to the new tyre and I adapted my riding style a little bit and we’ve had a great, enjoyable couple of days. Roll on Donington!” Frank Bird, Team Co-owner: “It’s mega to finally get the 2025 season underway - it sounds a little bit cliched but it’s been a really long winter! There’s been a lot of hard work and stress in the build up but it’s good to finally get to a track and put all the hard work to the test. “A big thanks to the boys and of course thanks to all our sponsors. It’s been a really productive three days, I like to think we’ve ticked off all the boxes that we had before coming to the test so hats off to the whole team. “Everything ran smoothly, it’s like we’ve never been away but it’s great to finally get going and to be fastest on day one and fastest overall at the end. It seemed to come quite easily so we’re all looking forward to the next couple of tests.”  The team will now head home to the UK and the workshop for some further work, before the next R&G Official Test at Donington Park on April 18 and 19.
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