October 16, 2022

Season Concludes With Top Ten Finishes For MCE Ducati

The MCE Ducati team concluded their 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season at Brands Hatch this afternoon and they did so with three top ten finishes from a possible four, as Josh Brookes ended his year strongly with seventh and ninth place finishes whilst teammate Tom Sykes added another top ten finish to his haul.

The opening race of the day saw Tom and Josh line up beside each other on the fifth row in 13th and 14th respectively but both riders made good starts and as early as lap two they were running in ninth and 11th, Tom leading the way on the factory-supported MCE Insurance Ducati Panigale V4R.

 

That’s how it remained until lap seven when former double BSB champion Brookes moved up to tenth and the teammates then swapped positions on lap 10, half race distance. The duo were battling with Charlie Nesbitt and the Suzuki man managed to overhaul them both in the closing stages.

However, a last lap incident between Jason O’Halloran and Andrew Irwin, who were battling for a podium finish, saw O’Halloran crash out and Irwin penalised 20 seconds, the net result being Josh was classified in ninth place and Tom tenth.

 

Josh had the higher starting position for the final race of the year although it was Tom who completed the opening lap better placed in ninth, compared to Josh’s 12th. They were soon running in tenth and 11th but from mid-race onwards, Josh was the stronger of the two riders and whilst ex World Superbike champion Sykes was placed in an eventual 11th, Australian ace Brookes continually moved forward.

 

Maintaining a strong pace throughout the 20 laps, he overtook Christian Iddon and Kyle Ryde and then closed up to 2022 Champion Bradley Ray and Danny Kent in their battle for sixth. He overhauled Kent in the closing stages to end his four-year tenure with the team in a strong seventh place.

 

The results from the weekend meant Tom took 12th place overall in the final championship standings with Josh two places further back in 14th.

 

Josh Brookes: “It’s a sad day for me as I’ve grown to love the MCE Ducati and I’m going to miss riding the bike as I think anyone who rides a Ducati will say its infectious, like motorbikes are in general. I’ve enjoyed my time with the brand and the team as we’ve had a good time together but who knows what the future will bring. As for today, I’d say it’s been my best day on the bike this year so it’s nice to end on a positive note. Seventh is not the result I want but in terms of lap times and consistency, and staying strong right up until the end, I felt better than I have done all year. I kept pushing and was running close to the British Champion so that’s a good achievement in our final race together.”

 

Tom Sykes: “I can’t deny it’s been a disappointing season as I came to BSB and the PBM team to get involved and fight for the title. Unfortunately, we had some restrictions and whilst we showed what we could do at a big circuit like Donington we ultimately couldn’t do that often enough. I’m upset for myself and the team as the level of talent at PBM, in all areas of the garage, deserves a lot more. Sometimes you have difficult seasons and, unfortunately, 2022 has been one of those years. I’m obviously very grateful for the opportunity at PBM and they’ve been a pleasure to work with all year so would like to wish them all the best.”

 

Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “It’s nice to see Josh end the year, and his time with us, strongly in the final race of the year and no one can fault his commitment, dedication, or professionalism for the entire four years he’s been with us. The MCE Ducati PBM team have made some good friends in Josh and his wife Aimee, and we all wish him well for the future. Tom obviously hasn’t been with us as long but it’s been a pleasure to have an ex-World Champion riding for the team and he’ll be moving to pastures new in 2022 so, again, we wish him well. We’d also like to congratulate Bradley Ray and the Rich Energy OMG Racing Team on their title success and also thank all of our sponsors for their commitment and loyalty.”

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship race two (20 laps)

1 Peter Hickman (BMW)

2 Danny Buchan (BMW) +0.622s

3 Glenn Irwin (Honda) +2.702s

4 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) +13.381s

5 Tommy Bridewell (Ducati) +13.494s

6 Danny Kent (Suzuki) +13.902s

9 Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +18.912s

10 Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +20.511s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship race three (20 laps)

1 Glenn Irwin (Honda)

2 Andrew Irwin (BMW) +0.672s

3 Danny Buchan (BMW) +1.956s

4 Tommy Bridewell (Ducati) +5.474s

5 Peter Hickman (BMW) +5.679s

6 Bradley Ray (Yamaha) +11.000s

7 Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +11.334s

11 Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +19.156s

 

Championship standings

1 Ray 1192pts

2 Irwin 1171

3 Bridewell 1141

4 Jackson 1095

5 O’Halloran 1087

6 Ryde 1077

12 Sykes 187
14 Brookes 161

 

Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Josh Brookes (25) and Tom Sykes (66).

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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