Bridewell stars on call-up, wants more WorldSBK outings

Tommy Bridewell says he is hopes to get another shot on the Go Eleven Ducati in the World Superbike Championship after his impressive showing on the bike at Imola was curtailed by inclement weather conditions.

In what has been an eye-catching start to the 2019 season for Bridewell after a brace of podiums on the Oxford Racing Ducati at Oulton Park earned him a spot at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship leaderboard, he proceeded to display fine form at Imola despite minimal track running.

Called up to replace the injured Eugene Laverty, who crashed heavily in Friday practice, Bridewell only got his first chance on the bike during the short third free practice before heading straight into Superpole and race one.

Despite this, Bridewell qualified 16thof the 19 riders and picked up points in 12thplace, before following that up with a run to 11thin the short Superpole race. Putting him in a strong position to score a top ten finish in the second WorldSBK race, his chances were ultimately scuppered by poor weather conditions forcing a cancellation.

Despite this, Bridewell – who completed approximately only half the laps of his rivals during the weekend as a result – was upbeat about his performance and feels with more track time he’d have been further up the order. With this in mind, Bridewell is hopeful he will get another opportunity.

"I am very happy with the performance in the Superpole Race,” he said. “We made big changes from race one to the Superpole race and the feeling is much stronger and much better - I feel more comfortable. With more time we can be fast; it's a shame that they cancelled race two, because my target was to fight for a podium!

“It's a shame, but also has been a fantastic experience, I very much enjoyed working with this team and I hope we can make more races together!"

Bridewell’s performance impressed Go Eleven team manager Denis Sacchetti, calling him a ‘talented rider’ who surprised with his performance.

“Tommy was a surprise for us, getting on the bike Saturday morning, with a day less of work than others, and after just few completed laps to start a Superbike World Championship race, it takes courage! Furthermore he finished in 12th position, so hats off. I think it was a nice surprise! In the Superpole Race he improved again, and I think he is a really talented rider.”