April 21, 2024

Solid Points At Navarra For Irwin

Hager PBM Ducati rider Glenn Irwin scored a fourth and eighth place finish in today’s opening two rounds of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship to get some solid points on the board at Circuito de Navarra.

The Carrickfergus rider showed good pace in testing prior to the races at the track in northern Spain and followed that up with fourth place in the Omologato Superpole qualifying session to place him at the head of the second row of the grid for race one.
 
In the opening race today, Irwin got a good start and was circulating in the leading bunch throughout the 20-lap race but couldn’t make a move for the podium and in the end, had to settle for fourth place behind the Yamahas of Ryan Vickers, Kyle Ryde and Danny Kent.

The nine-times title-winning PBM Racing Team made a few improvements to the Hager PBM Ducati for the second race of the day where Glenn lined up on the front row. However, an uncharacteristic poor start saw him mired down the order and had to battle his way through from a lowly 14th place.
 
The double runner-up in the series for the past two years was making good progress in the 20-lap race and was up to fifth at one point but in the end had to salvage an eighth place at the chequered flag to ensure a solid points-scoring start to his 2024 campaign.
 
Today’s results see Glenn hold fifth in the standings, just a single point behind Christian Iddon and 16 points off the series lead going into the next round at Oulton Park in two weeks’ time 
 
Glenn Irwin: “A tough weekend. We had a great test during the week but after putting a new motor in afterwards, the whole dynamic of the bike changed. It did not feel like my bike whatsoever but all in all it’s solid points on the board and we know how to solve it which is an easy fix. We always knew the Yamahas would be strong in the races here, and so it proved, but I’m still disappointed we couldn’t get on the podium in race one and eighth in race two was the best I could do. It’s been a frustrating weekend but thanks to the team and it’s great to get the new era for PBM underway.” 
 
Jordan Bird, Team Owner: “That’s round one done and dusted for the Hager PBM Ducati team. Overall it has been a little tougher than we anticipated and the results definitely don’t show the effort we put in and potential of both the team and bike. Saying that we have plenty of positives to walk away with, points on the board and the first weekend of our new era under our belts. We head to Oulton Park for round two now,  it’s our local track and one we have had plenty of success at in the past. We hope to see as many of you trackside as possible.”
 
Bennetts British Superbike Race 1 (20 laps)
1. Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2. Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
3. Danny Kent (Yamaha)
 4. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
5. Rory Skinner (BMW)
6. Christian Iddon (Ducati)
 
Bennetts British Superbike Race 2 (20 laps)
1. Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2. Danny Kent (Yamaha)
3. Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
4. Leon Haslam (BMW)
5. Christian Iddon (Ducati)
6. Jason O'Halloran (Kawasaki)
 8. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
 
 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Points (after Round 1)
1. Ryan Vickers (Yamaha) 36 points
2. Danny Kent (Yamaha) 30
3. Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) 30
4. Christian Iddon (Ducati) 21
 5. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 20
6. Leon Haslam (BMW) 17
 
Pictures (courtesy of Double Red): Glenn Irwin in action and Team Owners Jordan and Frank Bird with mum Karen

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI WRAP-UP SUCCESSFUL TESTING PROGRAMME

April 24, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin have completed another successful R&G Official test at Oulton Park, with the opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship now just over a week away. Irwin and the team have spent the last two days at the Cheshire track, grabbing as much track time as possible in the final days on track before the season begins. After ending last weekend’s Donington Park test on top, the team was keen to continue to push in the final two days, working through a busy schedule and trying a host of new components and ideas. Irwin ended the test second quickest overall after clocking the best lap of Thursday afternoon’s final session, banking a 1min 33.313s lap on his last run. He leaves feeling confident about next weekend’s opening round and can’t wait to get back out. Glenn Irwin: “That’s us finished pre-season testing and I’m feeling good. We’ve been working, working, working and the bike felt better today but we still have a bit of work to do. “It’s been really, really enjoyable, we’ve tried a number of different things and I think now we’re finding a bit of a balance. Today we unlocked something in that middle session, I did a good few 33s in that run so I think we’re strong. “It’s definitely been very productive. We haven’t gone for lap times, we’ve been focussed on getting the bike right and when that happens, the lap times come. That’s what we’re starting to see and I think we’re in a good place to come back next week and start the season.” Frank Bird Jnr, Team Co-owner: “It’s a mega way to finish, this puts us in really good stead for the season and we’ve got a lot of boxes ticked off with the bike. All the boys are working well, we’ve got everyone back into the swing of things and Glenn seems to be riding well, so we’re in a good window for the first round. “It’s been a long winter but all the hard work seems to be paying off and we’re right in the mix. It means we can come here for Round One and we’re in a great place to start from.” The opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into action at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3-5.

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.
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