BSB: Glenn Irwin: “Championship on a knife edge” ahead of finale

Just 7.5 points separate the PBM Ducati duo with eight riders able to win the Championship.

It was a tough weekend for the PBM Ducati team, with tough conditions, tyre choices, and battles on the circuit. Glenn Irwin scored zero points at the weekend while Tommy Bridewell managed only eight.

Glenn Irwin qualified in sixth position in qualifying but would struggle in the race after gambling with the intermediate tyre. Irwin was forced to pit at the end of the opening lap, dropping him down to 23^rd position.

Irwin said: “This weekend has highlighted the highs and lows of racing, particularly the latter but it’s part of the job and it’s left the championship on a knife edge. I felt good in the first race and was pretty much in cruise mode until the spots of rain began to fall which led me to back off a bit.

In race two the two PBM Ducati’s battled at the front of the race with a handful of laps remaining. On lap 11, Bridewell and Irwin crashed out of the race after Bridewell couldn’t get the bike stopped. Irwin received two penalty points on his license for this incident after he displayed his frustration.

This resulted in no points in the Championship for the PBM Ducati and allowed Leon Haslam to close the gap.

Speaking briefly about the crash, Irwin added: “The incident with Tommy happened but I bear no resentment, we put it behind us and moved on to the last race.

On the first lap of race three, Glenn Irwin’s bike grounded to a halt on the exit of Redgate ending his race. A frustrated Irwin returned to the pitlane while his teammate opened a gap in the Championship.

“I had a good feeling in the wet but, unfortunately, a throttle sensor went so we ended the weekend with no points. The points table could have looked a lot different but I’m only 7.5 points behind Tommy and mentally I feel in a good place and I’m so fortunate to ride for such a good team.”

Bridewell retakes title lead

Tommy Bridewell took a big impact after hitting the rear of Irwin’s machine in race two and took responsibility for the incident. Bridewell also received a three-place grid penalty and three points for the crash.

“I’m sore after today’s crash and worn out emotionally after the weekend. Without a doubt, it’s been a tough day and a rollercoaster of a meeting and whilst the incident in the first race was bad for all of us, it was just a racing incident, but I apologised to Glenn and his team as it was obviously disappointing for both of us.

Tommy Bridewell struggled in the final race of the weekend as he was unable to see out of his helmet. Bridewell’s visor steamed up and forced the PBM rider to lose positions every lap and finished in ninth.

“In the final race, I had a few visibility issues, but I came here half a point behind in the championship standings and I’m leaving 7.5 points in the lead so I’m feeling positive going into the final round at Brands.”

Heading into Brands Hatch, eight riders can mathematically win the 2023 British Superbike Championship. Kyle Ryde is just 35 points behind Bridewell with Haslam a further six points behind after a mechanical in race three. Haslam’s engine blew up which brought out the red flag in race three.

With 35 points up for grabs for the final round of the season it looks like this season will take its place in the history books. The finale will take place at Brands Hatch on the 13^th– 15^th of October.

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