Glenn ends 2022 on a high
Irwin does the double to pip Bridewell to the runner-up spot
Glenn Irwin ended his campaign like he started it, on top of the podium. Two victories and third ensure that the Honda Racing UK man ends 2022 as the best of the rest behind Bradley Ray.
Such was Irwin’s form towards the end of the season, paired with Ray’s crash and lack of podiums at Brands, he was only 21 points adrift.
No other rider has scored more points (155) than Irwin during this year’s Showdown. The Northern Irishman took six podiums, two fourths and a fifth en route to his best-ever campaign finish.
“It’s been a fitting end to a fantastic season,” Irwin said.
“I believe this is my foundation now and we’re starting from here. I’m excited for the future now.”
Irwin is riding on a crest of the wave now that he’s injuryfree following surgery on his troublesome shoulder. Prior to the season, he suffered a huge crash during training in Spain which caused multiple fractures.
It’s something that has hampered him this year, whilst the Fireblade has continued to misfire at some circuits. Absolute consistency isn’t quite there yet, but shoulder treatment and a change in swingarm midway through helped improve things.
“That was an instant improvement. I followed that up with shoulder treatment. That’s the biggest thing, the bike developed, and we worked incredibly well, but that major limitation that I’ve had from pretty much halfway through my second season in Superbike was finally fixed.
“We went to physical tracks like Oulton and could fight, same for Donington, Snetterton and here. For sure the bike made good steps, but I also believe I made a huge step in myself.”
Tommy Bridewell, meanwhile, had no answer for Irwin’s pace. Two fourths came either side of a sensational performance in Race Two. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati man was forced off the grid before the warm-up lap and had to start from pitlane, yet still managed to fight his way through to fifth.
For the second year he has been the top Ducati, outdoing his MCE Ducati counterparts, Josh Brookes and Tom Sykes. If paddock rumours are to be believed, it may well be that Irwin and Bridewell end up in the same garage next year. Both have been linked with PBM, and given the final standings this year, that would be quite a team.