BSB: Glenn Irwin at JG Speedift Kawasaki for 2019

Popular Ulsterman Glenn Irwin will join the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team for 2019, having previously signed a deal with Paul Bird’s PBM Ducati outfit. It became public knowledge that there had been a rift in the team and that Irwin’s ride with the team had not become guaranteed. Irwin will return to Kawasaki, having ridden for the official Supersport team when at Gearlink Racing.

“I’m over the moon! I feel like I’ve served my apprenticeship in BSB now and moving back to Kawasaki after some successful times in Supersport is the perfect opportunity. Also hearing the enthusiasm from the top at Kawasaki about me signing for them is worth its weight in gold. I thrive on that and I look forward to being in that environment.”

Irwin’s BSB Superbike career to date has seen him make the Showdown for the first time this season, as well as taking a handful of podiums this season and his first win last year. His time on the PBM Ducati bike has been illustrious too, with three North West 200 Superbike wins and a Macau GP victory.

“I can’t wait for my first ride of the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. Also, I’m looking forward to learning from my new team given their experience and success over the past three seasons.

“I started paying close attention to the new 2019 Ninja ZX-10RR when the conversations began with Kawasaki. I believe the chassis is phenomenal and it will be a bike that can be ridden hard. The engine was already strong, so with the updated engine, we should have even more power and an even better handling bike. You only need to look at what the current bike has done, so it will be nice to jump on a proven package with some upgrades that will make the new model even better,” said the charismatic Northern Irishman.

It is unclear yet whether Irwin will continue his roads campaign on the JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki, as the team normally field the popular James Hillier at the NW200.