August 27, 2023

Irwin Gets Back To Winning Ways At Cadwell Park

BeerMonster Ducati rider Glenn Irwin reminded everyone that he was still a major contender in the fight for the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship when he scorched to a superb victory in today’s BikeSocial Sprint race at Cadwell Park.

Having started on the front row of the grid following the 15-minute Omologato Superpole qualifying session, the Carrickfergus, County Antrim rider had to fend off a concerted challenge from his rivals to land his fifth victory of the year around the 2.18-mile Lincolnshire circuit.


With sporadic rain affecting the day’s proceedings, the 12-lap race took place in cloudy but dry conditions and saw Irwin lead from start to finish in his 200th race as he brought the factory supported BeerMonster Ducati home to a deserved victory and in doing so, reduced the gap to series leader and teammate Tommy Bridewell to 19.5 points.

Bridewell, meanwhile, managed to claim fifth place following on from him starting the race on row three of the grid on the second of Paul Bird’s bikes as he looked to improve after a tough start to the weekend.


The Devizes, Wiltshire rider got a good start although a clash with another rider early on set him back, but he gamely battled back to challenge the leading bunch but had to settle for fifth at the chequered flag.


Glenn Irwin: “It’s been a while since I won a race, so it was about time! We’ve been plugging away all weekend and I knew I had the pace to win, but I had to ride defensively at times. I got a good start and felt comfortable after we’d made some changes to the bike. Cadwell is tough to pass at and I was expecting a challenge, but it never really came. I’m feeling good, that was my first win here at Cadwell so hopefully we can maintain the momentum into tomorrow’s races.”


Tommy Bridewell: “It’s proving to be a tougher weekend than what I expected if I’m being honest. We’re getting a lot closer to getting me feeling comfortable on the bike and when you put it into perspective, fifth place just over a second and a half off the win isn’t a disaster. I’ve surrendered a few points to Glenn, but the key here is to get a good start so hopefully we can work on the data and improve tomorrow and get our championship challenge back on track.”


Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “A fantastic result for everyone connected to PBM BeerMonster Ducati, which was just what we needed after a difficult Thruxton, and what a perfect way to bounce back. Tomorrow’s races will be every bit as close, with at least five or six riders in the mix for the race win including both Glenn and Tommy so hopefully we can repeat today’s victory.”


Bridewell enjoys that 19.5-point lead over Irwin, who in turn, extended his advantage over third-placed Jason O’Halloran to 30 points going into tomorrow’s two races over 18 laps each.


British Superbike Championship – BikeSocial Sprint race (12 laps)


1 Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)


2 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)


3 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)


4 Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha)


5 Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)

  
6 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)


Championship Positions


1 Bridewell 274pts


2 Irwin 254.5


3 O’Halloran 224.5

4 Ryde 224


5 Haslam 201


6 Jackson 195.5


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

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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