Hat-trick for Honda Racing UK at Silverstone
Silverstone NationalThe opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend
The opening round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship has been a dream start to the season for Honda Racing UK, with Glenn Irwin dominating the weekend and winning all three races at Silverstone's National Circuit aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Claiming victory in yesterday's first race of the weekend in superb style leading from start to finish, Glenn started today's second race from the second row of the grid in fourth place. Moving through the pack and making up places with just ten laps to go Glenn was second and fast closing the gap to race leader Bradley Ray, who just two laps later crashed out of the lead. With a clear track ahead, and a chasing Superbike field behind, Glenn crossed the line making it a double win.
The final race of the weekend Glenn lined up fifth, but once the race started he quickly made his way into second place. On the fourth lap, the Honda-man made his move on Rory Skinner to take over the lead, where again he dominated proceedings to cross the line picking his his first treble victory. After the success of the weekend the Honda Racing squad head into the next round at Oulton Park leading the BSB championship with 75 points.
Meanwhile teammate and BSB rookie Tom Neave had a solid point scoring weekend finishing today's races 14th and 12th respectively. Throughout all races Tom was battling in groups with experienced riders including Josh Brookes, Tom Sykes as well as Leon Haslam. Learning so much this weekend off and on-track, Tom leaves Round 1 13th overall in the championship.
After yesterday's disappointment in Race 1 where he was forced to retire from the running, Ryo Mizuno enjoyed two race finishes today in 17th and 20th, while teammate Takumi Takahashi finished just outside the points in 16th and 17th places.
The team will now look forward to the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park across the May Bank Holiday weekend 30 April - 2 May.
Three doesn't come often for anyone and it's a first time for me! In one sense in racing when you get success you keep your head down, Ben Wilson told me after the Race 1 victory, 'put it away now and tomorrow is a new day'. I had a good chat with him this morning again and it's a little bit of that approach as we have Oulton on our mind, but three don't come a lot and we're going to enjoy this. I hope everyone on the team celebrates and enjoys these wins, I don't think people on the outside know what went on inside this garage this weekend - but the boys had such a challenge, not just with my bike but with all the bikes. Those three wins were for the team, there's no 'my' team in this, I love all my teammates and I want all of Honda Racing to enjoy today.
It was a difficult weekend for me and I'm sorry to the team that I couldn't bring out the best in both races today. I am very honoured that my teammate Glenn has won three races in a row. Congratulations to Glenn. The only way to break through is to keep going, so we'll just keep trying to make progress.
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone in the team who helped me complete my bike in the short time between Race 2 and Race 3. In the second race, I lost position after the start and I couldn't make a good pace and it was difficult. In the final race, of course, it's still not enough, including the results, but I had a bit of a feeling I could race in BSB for the first time. I felt that last year's experience was not in vain. I want to improve on what I'm missing for the next race.
I really don't know where to start, it's been an unbelievable weekend, I've hit all my goals and expectations I had of Superbike racing, I've actually exceeded them a little. Sitting behind Josh [Brookes], Tom [Sykes] and Leon [Haslam] for some laps, not only did I learn so much from them, but also in myself and where I can be stronger than them. I followed them in Race 2 and wasn't able to pass, but to be able to pick them off one by one in Race 3 just felt unbelievable with their experience and career history, it really boosted my confidence. The Honda team has been amazing and I absolutely love the new team environment and working with all the guys.