‘He knows how to win’
2021 championship position – 8th
2021 was a strange year for Glenn Irwin, and for Honda. Perhaps expectations were a little too high after a great 2020 which saw Glenn and brother Andrew take a combined total of four wins, five podiums and one fastest lap on the brand-new Honda Fireblade.
It was seriously impressive, but Honda also had the advantage of starting afresh, rather than having to adjust old setups to make their bike work with the new, larger Pirelli tyres. In fact, development of the Blade was minimal due to Covid-19 which, looking at the bigger picture, probably cost them last year.
Irwin’s only win during 2021 came at Silverstone, an inherited result due to the McAMS Yamaha duo crashing out, whilst he only took three further podiums. Of course, the majority of the Northern Irishman’s season was hampered by a shoulder injury. He was in visible discomfort for most of the second half.
So, what now? Well firstly a lot will depend on Irwin’s fitness. We won’t truly know if his shoulder is back to 100% strength until the opening round next weekend, whilst he also suffered a training accident last month.
If he is back to full fitness, then he is more than capable of fighting back towards the front of the pack. Remarkably, 2022 will be his seventh in the Superbike class, and as we all know, experience is key in BSB. He knows how to win, he knows how to get on the podium and he knows how to battle hard in the chaotic opening laps of a race. The race craft is there.
As for the Fireblade, Honda now have a full season of data and development to play around with in order to put together a more competitive package. Much like BMW, it’s consistency at all circuits that’s needed to take that next step.