BSB: Introducing… PBM BeWiser Ducati

The Paul Bird Motorsport Be Wiser Ducati team will be looking for a hat-trick of championships in as many years in 2018, with Shane Byrne spearheading their title charge as reigning-double champion. Second in the team is 2017 North West 200 hero, Glenn Irwin, who remains with the team for third consecutive season.

After a difficult start to their 2017 campaign, the Cumbrian-based outfit took their first win at round three, Oulton Park. Despite Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne going on to win a further six races. He trailed Leon Haslam going into the final round and against the odds, took championship success in the last race of the season in front of a packed home crowd at Brands Hatch. Whilst taking seven wins, this was the lowest amount of wins that has won the championship since 2011, when Tommy Hill was victorious. 2018 promises to be the toughest yet for Shane Byrne, who will be looking to become the first rider since Niall Mackenzie in 1996, 1997 and 1998 to win three championships on the bounce.

Glenn Irwin makes a welcome return to the PBM Ducati garage, having had a successful 2017 with the team. A NW200 victory, a Macau GP triumph and a BSB win constituted one half of his season, whilst a serious arm injury made for a lot of rest and a lot of healing for the Ulsterman. Back fit and raring to go, Irwin will be setting his sites on the 2018 British Superbike Showdown places, in a bid to launch a title challenge. Along with a first win, Irwin secured two other podiums before he got injured at Knockhill. Will the Ulsterman transfer his 2017 Road Racing form to the short circuits of British Superbikes?

The team overall are the most decorated in the BSB paddock, with seven BSB titles, 1 British Supersport championship, NW200 success and even World Superbike pole-positions and race wins. Under the watchful eye of Paul Bird, the team operates a tight, professional ship. A ship that has so far been steered in the right direction. Will it be an eighth championship for the team in 2018? Only a fool would bet against them.