BSB: Glenn Irwin puts PBM on top in the opening race at Oulton Park

Glenn Irwin closes in the Championship gap as he wins the opening race of the weekend.

Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) qualified on pole position with Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) in second after an emotional qualifying for PBM. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) qualified in third and made some changes for the race.

Irwin led the field in the early stages of the race, as they aimed to put the PBM name at the top of the results. Bridewell followed Irwin in second position with Ryde remaining in third place.

Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) had a great start to the race, battling for the podium places. Stacey’s race came to a premature end, he lost the front at the final corner on the first lap.

Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) received a long-lap penalty in the race after he jumped the start. Luke Mossey (Tactix by Lloyd & Jones BMW) retired from the race after suffering from a mechanical issue.

Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) crashed out of the race, just weeks after announcing his departure from the team. Luke Stapleford (McAMS Yamaha) also crashed out of the race on his debut for the McAMS team.

Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) eventually made his way into third position and was the fastest bike in the speed trap.

Vickers disqualified from the race

Ryan Vickers eventually received a black flag for not completing his long-lap penalty within the three-lap window. This resulted in his race finishing with Kyle Ryde dropping down to fifth.

The two PBM machines looked unstoppable in a tough weekend for the team, just weeks after the passing of Paul Bird. An emotional tribute took place on Saturday morning with the entire BSB paddock taking part in a minute silence on the grid.

The battle at the front was extremely exciting with Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki)  claiming third and having the tyre at the end of the race. Jackson qualified in eighth position and made his way through the field.

It was a three-way battle at the front of the race on the final lap of the race, but it would all be unfolded at Hislop’s. Bridewell ran wide and ran through the escape road, dropping down to fourth position.

This would allow Glenn Irwin to win Race one of the weekend for the British Superbike class. Lee Jackson came home in second position and ahead of Leon Haslam who rounded off the podium. Tommy Bridewell was in fourth position after a last-lap error, with his Championship lead down to just 7.5 points.

Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) finished in front of Kyle Ryde who continues his consistent run of results. Christian Iddon ( Oxford Products Racing Ducati) was ahead of Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) who finished as the sole MCAMS machine.

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Image credit: britishsuperbike.com