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 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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