May 6, 2024

Treble Joy For Irwin At Oulton

Glenn Irwin and the Hager PBM Ducati team enjoyed a superb second round of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park over the Bank Holiday weekend as they claimed a stunning hat-trick of wins at their local circuit which were the first victories for the new-look team.

Fastest in Saturday’s practice session signalled Glenn’s intentions and he took that form into qualifying the following day with second place and a front row position for Sunday’s opening 18-lap race.  A strong start saw him slot into second place behind Yamaha’s Ryan Vickers but on lap three Glenn took the lead for the first time and never looked back. Controlling the race from the front, he duly led for the remaining 15 laps and took the chequered flag just over a second clear of fellow Ducati rider Christian Iddon.
 
Victory, along with the fastest lap meant he lined up for today’s 12-lap ‘Sprint’ race on pole position with conditions slightly cooler at the Cheshire venue and this time it was an even more impressive performance from Irwin as he led from start to finish. Consistently maintaining a lead of around 0.4s, Irwin took the win by 0.352s from former team-mate Tommy Bridewell with Iddon again on the podium in third.

Starting the third and final race from second on the grid, the Northern Irishman had to sit behind Iddon for two thirds race distance but on lap 12, he made his move and took the lead at the Hizzy’s chicane. The race went all the way to the end though with Glenn doing battle with Iddon, and the Yamahas of Vickers and Danny Kent but he kept his rivals at bay once more to complete his hat-trick and with it the championship lead.
 
Glenn Irwin: “Sunday’s race was very enjoyable and races like that, when you lead for so long, are the sweet ones. We did the hard work learning the bike through testing and practice so set the pace from the front. I like to lead and control the race from there so with the fastest lap of the race as well, it couldn’t have worked out better. We stayed focused for today which we needed to do as we were constantly making changes to the bike and we improved a number of key factors which we needed to win – resilience, determination and precision being three. We had to show our character too and boxed professionally this weekend so the treble was nothing short of what the team deserved. It sets us up nicely for a busy two weeks with the North West 200 next and then Donington Park BSB so a big thanks to Jordan, Frank and the whole team.”
 
Frank Bird, Team Co-Owner: “It’s been a dream weekend and to take a hat-trick for the next generation of PBM is superb. After Navarra, we’ve regrouped and come back with a bang and to do it at our local circuit, in front of many of our sponsors as well as family and friends, is the icing on the cake. Both Glenn and the bike were on point all weekend and the team have worked incredibly well so hopefully it can give us some momentum and there’s no reason why we won’t be adding more wins this year. The last time we were here was for Dad’s memorial last September so to return to the venue and take all three wins is perfect – we’re continuing racing in his memory so all the wins are dedicated to him.”
 
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Race One (18 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Christian Iddon (Ducati)
3 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
4 Tommy Bridewell (Honda)
5 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
6 Danny Kent (Yamaha)
 
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Race Two (12 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Tommy Bridewell (Honda)
3 Christian Iddon (Ducati)
4 Danny Kent (Yamaha)
5 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
6 Jason O’Halloran (Kawasaki)
 
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Race Three (18 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Christian Iddon (Ducati)
3 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
4 Danny Kent (Yamaha)
5 Leon Haslam (BMW)
6 Tommy Bridewell (Honda)
 
Championship Positions (after two rounds)
1 Irwin 74
2 Vickers 68
3 Iddon 67
4 Kent 64
5 Ryde 55
6 Bridewell 47
 
Pictures (courtesy of Double Red): Glenn Irwin in action and with the team after a hat-trick of historic victories.

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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