BSB Results: Irwins give Honda CBR1000RR-R perfect debut with BSB 1-2

Andrew and Glenn Irwin gave the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade a perfect debut in the British Superbike Championship with a resounding 1-2 finish at Donington Park.

While the long-awaited new ‘Blade hasn’t performed strongly on the WorldSBK stage as yet, in the more ‘stock’ electronics-free trim permitted to run in BSB, it proved to be a weapon in the hands of the Irwin brothers.

Both riders enjoyed stints out front as they diced with the Ducati of Josh Brookes, but it was Andrew Irwin that would prevail with a well-judged pass on Glenn on the final lap. The result marks Andrew’s second career BSB win, following his success on the previous generation Honda Fireblade at Thruxton last year.

Despite missing out on the top step, a second-place finish marks a welcome return to the podium for Glenn following a difficult 2019 campaign.

Though the way he’d worked his way into the lead with five laps to go appeared to suggest Brookes was on course for victory, the Australian lost his momentum when both Hondas swept by one after the other with on lap 18 and was forced to settle for third.

Christian Iddon marked his Ducati debut with a solid run to fourth, with Tommy Bridewell trailing in fifth after losing time when Danny Buchan fell ahead of him to puncture a big gap between the lead group and the chasing pack.

Luke Mossey brought some joy to the Rich Energy OMG BMW team after team-mate Hector Barbera was forced to retire having run third early on. Similarly, there was disappointment for BSB debutant Kyle Ryde, who led the first four laps on the Buildbase Suzuki before also retiring. 

Tarran Mackenzie led Jason O’Halloran for seventh and eighth, with Ryan Vickers and Lee Jackson rounding out the top ten as the best of the Kawasaki contingent. 

BSB Donington Park - Race Results (1)