Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa, Eli Banish, and Joshua Raymond, Jr. finished third, 12th, and 15th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Snetterton.
More, from a press release issued by MSVR:
Irwin aces the pack with Snetterton double to lead Bridewell by just four points
Glenn Irwin moved back to the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after claiming a double race win at Snetterton. The Hager PBM Ducati rider held off his fierce rival Tommy Bridewell to claim the Quattro Group Race of Aces Trophy with just four points separating the pair ahead of Brands Hatch.
The second race of the weekend began in dry conditions and race one winner Storm Stacey got the launch off the line to lead the pack into Riches for the first time before Kyle Ryde took the lead into Wilson. However, Irwin was on the attack and he moved to the front and then was pushing to break the pack.
Irwin and Ryde had an edge with Ryan Vickers, Iddon, Bridewell and Danny Kent giving chase. It had been an impressive start from Bridewell as he carved his way up to third by lap five from his 16th place grid start.
However, the BMW Safety Car was deployed when Louis Valleley stopped with a technical problem and the bike caught fire, but whilst the Herock Racesafe marshals dealt with the incident, the rain began to fall and the race was red flagged.
The race restarted over five laps and Ryde got the holeshot to lead but as the pack reached Agostini, Irwin made his move and then edged out an advantage.
The battle for second though went Bridewell’s way as the reigning champion gave himself work to do after dropping down the order at the start to fifth on the opening lap, moving back through to second by lap three.
Iddon then grabbed third with a move at Brundle on the third lap to nudge Ryde back into fourth ahead of Andrew Irwin and Danny Kent. Vickers meanwhile ended a lonely seventh with Jason O’Halloran, Charlie Nesbitt and Josh Brookes completing the top ten.
Glenn Irwin then held off the pressure from his closest rivals to claim a double win and the Quattro Group Race of Aces trophy in an intense race three as he went head-to-head with Bridewell as Iddon also got into the mix, with just 0.125s separating the leading pair at the chequered flag.
At the start, Iddon launched into the lead from Ryde, Irwin and Danny Kent, but Irwin was determined and he first moved ahead of the McAMS Racing Yamaha rider at Agostini and by lap four had also picked off Ryde for second.
The leading trio began to have an edge as Iddon held off Irwin and Bridewell over the opening laps, but Irwin was pushing for the lead and he grabbed the advantage at Agostini on lap seven. Bridewell wasn’t going to let Irwin make a break though, and he attempted to get ahead with a pass at Murrays, but the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider instantly fought back to regain the position.
Bridewell was able to make his move on lap eight for second and then he was hunting Irwin and on the last lap, the reigning champion was piling on the pressure. The Hager PBM Ducati rider made a mistake at Wilson, running wide, which allowed Bridewell to get alongside but Irwin wasn’t relenting into Palmer.
Irwin held off Bridewell to the finish with Iddon completing a double dose of podium finishes as he remained in striking distance of the pair at the finish line. Kent was leading the chasing pack in fourth place with Ryde and Andrew Irwin completing the top six.
Brookes had another top eight finish for FHO Racing BMW Motorrad, holding off Vickers with Jason O’Halloran and Charlie Nesbitt rounding out the top ten finishers.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2 result:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +1.487s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati +2.163s
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +2.197s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +2.642s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +2.682s
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +3.723s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +4.311s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +5.556s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +8.730s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 3 result:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.125s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.740s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +1.122s
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +1.322s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +2.204s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.948s
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +8.510s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +8.635s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +8.979s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 177
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 173
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 156
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 147
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 147
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 108
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 96
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 92
- Charlie Nesbit (MasterMac Honda) 85
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 80
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin
Hager PBM Ducati
“I was really pleased with both wins and it’s good to be back in the championship lead. I’ve probably lost a little bit this last month, but we continue to work hard and massive thanks to the team for the bike they gave me.
“We experimented a little bit in the first race and found some areas that worked well and others where we could still improve but I rode with clarity and resilience, and it was a well-executed victory.
“The weather conditions changed for the second race which meant I struggled with grip especially in the second half of the race and I lost the front several times. I had to dig deep and did a really good last lap so fair play to Tommy and Christian as they were there all the way. I love racing against Tommy as he’s like me and never gives up.
“It’s nice to get the Quattro Race of Aces trophy as well so I am proud of that achievement so a big thanks to the team and get well soon Jordan.”
