Andrew Irwin doubles up at Donington Park after frantic last-lap British Superbike battle with brother Glenn

Andrew Irwin extended his lead in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship after another final-lap tussle with his brother Glenn at Donington Park on Sunday.
By Kyle White
Published 9th Aug 2020, 15:00 BST
Updated 9th Aug 2020, 15:04 BST
Honda Racing riders Andrew Irwin and his brother Glenn finished first and second in the first two British Superbike races at Donington Park on Saturday and Sunday.Honda Racing riders Andrew Irwin and his brother Glenn finished first and second in the first two British Superbike races at Donington Park on Saturday and Sunday.
Honda Racing riders Andrew Irwin and his brother Glenn finished first and second in the first two British Superbike races at Donington Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The Honda Racing riders gave the all-new Fireblade a dream debut in Saturday’s opening race of the 2020 season, when Andrew pounced on the final lap to snatch victory as they secured a one-two at the shorter National circuit.

In race two, Glenn led for most of the 26-lap race, but Andrew was waiting patiently as he followed in his team-mate’s wheel-tracks.

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The scene was set for another last-lap shootout and the Northern Ireland siblings produced another epic finish, with Andrew going underneath his brother on the exit of Coppice.

The 25-year-old held his line on the inside into the final chicane, with Glenn forced to pick his machine up as he tipped in, which caused him to run wide off the track.

Jason O’Halloran grabbed second place on the McAMS Yamaha, but Irwin hit back and drafted past on the short blast to the line to clinch the runner-up spot behind double winner Andrew.

He now leads the championship on a perfect 50 points from Glenn, who is 10 points adrift in second place after the first two races of the revamped season, which was initially scheduled to get underway in April before the coronavirus pandemic struck.

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The top three were covered by only 0.2s, with Kyle Ryde making up for the disappointment of his retirement from Saturday’s race as he took fourth on the Buildbase Suzuki, one second behind the race winner.

Danny Buchan (Kawasaki) and Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) completed the top six.

Dublin’s Jack Kennedy finished 15th on the TAG Yamaha, while BSB newcomer Graeme Irwin – who crashed out unhurt on Saturday – was 21st on the Team 64 Kawasaki.

Brian McCormack came home in 24th on the ON-1 Roadhouse Macau BMW.

Race three is scheduled for 16:30 BST.

Related topics:Northern Ireland

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