Bridewell Takes 2023
British Superbike Title
B
eerMonster Ducati's Tommy
Bridewell wrapped up the
2023 British Superbike Champi-
onship, October 14-15, in dra-
matic fashion, passing Yamaha's
Kyle Ryde on the last lap to finish
second in the final race of the
season to teammate Glenn Irwin,
thus ensuring the crown by half
a point.
Irwin did all he could, taking
two of the three race wins at
Brands Hatch but finished fourth
in the sprint race, once place
down on Bridewell in third. The
Northern Irishman took race one,
cutting Bridewell's lead to 5.5
points heading into the final race
of the year, but needed Bridewell
to finish no higher than third if he
won. Kyle Ryde was also in with
a chance of the title if the two
teammates faltered.
Bridewell had initially grabbed
the advantage, but Ryde soon
had charged ahead to take the
lead, and with Irwin in fourth,
that would have been enough for
Bridewell to become champion.
However, Irwin fought his way to
the front by lap 11 and the 20-lap
race saw the championship advan
-
tage change in favor of the team-
mates eight times.
Ryde regained the
lead, but Irwin pro-
duced a rapid exit out
of Surtees to pass
the LAMI OMG Rac
-
ing Yamaha rider at
Hawthorn and once
again move into the
title lead. This left
Bridewell needing to
pass Ryde with just a
lap and a half of the
season to run.
He did so at Druids (turn two),
holding on to finish second to
Irwin but taking a debut BSB title
after having been in the series
since 2007.
Irwin took second overall
ahead of Ryde, who rounded out
the 2023 BSB podium.
CN
WIND
IN THE
P50
Tommy Bridewell (left) and
Glenn Irwin embrace after an
incredible final race of the
2023 BSB season.
Sprint Race
Race Two Race Three
