Round three of the Bennetts British Superbikes Championship hits Donington Park this weekend with Glenn Irwin coming from Oulton Park in the lead of the riders championship.
A hat trick of wins for Hager PBM Ducati and Irwin at the Cheshire venue was the first treble win for Frank and Jordan Bird as team owners, with the Northern Irishman taking a six-point lead in the championship.
Ryan Vickers, Christian Iddon and Danny Kent are all within ten points of the championship leader Irwin as they head to Donington Park for the first time in 2024. Last year’s visit to the Leicestershire circuit saw teammates Irwin and Tommy Bridewell collide in race two, sending the title fight into pandemonium. Can it be repeated this weekend?
OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider Ryan Vickers will be aiming to return to the top of the championship this weekend, with two wins to his name in 2024, Vickers will be one to watch across the three races held at Donington.
On the other side of the Yamaha Racing stable is Kyle Ryde. He hopes to top the podium this weekend, as he did in race two at the October round at Donington last season.
Christian Iddon on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati sits third in the championship after a hat trick of podiums at Oulton Park. Consistent point finishing may be the key for Iddon’s 2024 title challenge.
Kawasaki is the most represented brand on the grid, with eight riders vying for the chance to be a race winner in BSB. Jason O’Halloran and Max Cook were the top Kawasaki riders at Oulton Park and are looking to continue this strong form heading into Donington Park.
Injured Tom Neave is being deputised this weekend for race winner Luke Mossey on the STAUFF Fluid Power Kawasaki and was a podium sitter at Donington Park last season.
Mossey said: “I can’t wait to get back on track this weekend, especially with such a well-established and professional team as GR Motosport.”
Tommy Bridewell, Leon Haslam, Josh Brookes and Jason O’Halloran are all championship outsiders and will be looking to shine at Donington Park. Bridwell took a visit to the podium at Oulton Park and will be looking to go one better this weekend.
Bridewell said: “The first two rounds have been a lot more promising than perhaps we anticipated with having a brand-new bike. Yes, we’ve had some teething issues but our actual pace over race distance over the shorter race and over practice sessions has been really strong. We’ve always every single session, been in the top four or five area consistently.”
Isle of Man TT experts Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman will be looking to make an impact on the Bennetts British Superbike championship, as they have done on the Manx classic. The FHO BMW rider, Hickman, has suffered a rocky start to the championship but will be aiming high at his home race this weekend.
Donington has hosted many a great BSB race in recent past. Will we see the same this weekend?
