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After a two-year period lacking in satisfaction to say the least, the ultra-successful Paul Bird Motorsport team (now BeerMonster Ducati) is once again making its mark in British Superbike. The result of updates on the latest Panigale V4 R and a line-up of top riders who, in full compliance with the rules, thrashed the hell out of each other during the BikeSocial Sprint Race of the fifth round of the season at the Snetterton 300, which took Tommy Bridewell back to the top step of the podium. More and more championship leader, TB46 put an end to the victory aspirations on the last lap of teammate Glenn Irwin, who then even slipped off the podium.
Bridewell wins comeback race in BSB
Out of the spotlight in this weekend's practice sessions, Tommy Bridewell had to duke it out for his second win in 2023 as well as the ninth of his career in BSB. In fact, Race 1 didn’t start in the best way for him, so much so that he found himself just outside the top-10 at the end of the first lap. With calm and patience, the Ducati rider was able to get back close to the pacesetters as early as lap 4, holding off the opponents who appeared along the way and finally staging an exciting, spectacular, but fair scrap for victory with team-mate Glenn Irwin. With Jason O'Halloran and Josh Brookes reduced to the role of spectators in the slipstream of the two Panigale V4 Rs.
PBM Ducati home fight
Leading the race midway through, Tommy Bridewell gave way again to Glenn Irwin on lap 10 with a desperate attack by the latter coming in to Brundle at the end of Bentley Straight. At the same point, in the final lap, Bridewell tried a diehard move, regaining the lead and thus conquering 18 precious points which allow him to extend his championship lead to +17 on Glenn Irwin (who then lost out on a podium slot in the final meters) and +23 on an unrecognizable Kyle Ryde (only 13th on a LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha and never competitive enough on the Norfolk track).
BMW and Yamaha on the podium
Fresh from two successes in the previous Knockhill round, Irwin was edged out by both Josh Brookes (2nd on a FHO Racing BMW with the only M 1000 RR in the top area of the standings) and poleman Jason O 'Halloran (3rd on a McAMS Yamaha). Christian Iddon, fifth, finished ahead of Danny Kent (first of the Hondas), with Lee Jackson seventh, the best of the Kawasakis. After a sensational front row qualifying slot, Tito Rabat crossed the finish line in tenth place, getting the better of Max Cook in the dash to the line. The remaining two races of the British Superbike will take place today at Snetterton, scheduled respectively at 2.15pm and 5.30pm Italian time.
RACE 1 RESULTS:
