The PBM Ducati team have completed their line up for the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with the signing of Glenn Irwin joining the eight-time title-winners alongside Tommy Bridewell in Paul Bird’s two-rider team.
32-year-old Irwin, from Carrickfergus in County Antrim, returns for a second stint with the team having raced for them from 2016 to 2018, winning two races in that time and finishing third overall in the 2018 standings.
Irwin finished runner-up in this year’s title fight and joins recently announced Bridewell, who ended the 2022 season in third place overall. The Ulsterman claimed five race wins this season, and has 178 career starts with a total of nine victories and 23 additional podiums to his name in Bennetts BSB to date.
Irwin has also delivered success in the past with PBM Ducati at the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix where is hoping to return next season. His winning tally includes two Macau Grand Prix wins and an impressive six successive North West 200 Superbike race wins. He became the fastest newcomer at the 2022 Isle of Man TT but the PBM team have no plans to contest the 2023 event.
Irwin said: “Re-joining PBM after four years apart is something I’m relishing as I feel I’ve improved as a rider and as a person during that time. The experience away has taught me a lot and to be coming back to the most successful team in the paddock is a fantastic opportunity. I’m in a stronger position now and we both know how each other works so the timing is perfect.
“I want to win, and Birdy wants to win and with Tommy as a very strong teammate, it will drive us all on. I’ve proved I can challenge for the title this year, so the plan is to go one better next season.”
Team Owner Paul Bird commented: “With Glenn joining Tommy, I think we have an unbelievable line up for 2023 with the riders that finished second and third in this year’s championship. It’s great to have Glenn back as we have had a lot of success together in the past and he’s probably left what I would regard as one of the best, if not the best, team in the paddock to come to us. After a disappointing season for PBM, it will be good to be back at the sharp end.”