2023 British Superbike Brands Hatch Final Round Results
Cycle News Staff | October 18, 2023
BeerMonster Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell wrapped up the 2023 British Superbike Championship, October 14-15, in dramatic 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 advantage change in favor of the teammates eight times.
Ryde regained the lead, but Irwin produced a rapid exit out of Surtees to pass the LAMI OMG Racing 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
2023 British Superbike Brands Hatch Sprint Race Highlights
2023 British Superbike Brands Hatch Race 2 Highlights
2023 British Superbike Brands Hatch Race 3 Highlights