British Superbike rider Glenn Irwin splits from Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki

Carrick man Irwin has endured a difficult season on the ZX-10RR and is currently in 16th place in the standings, 75 points outside the Showdown top six. He missed the latest round of the series at Snetterton through illness.

The 29-year-old won the Superbike race for the fourth time in a row at the North West 200 in May during a rare highlight with the team in 2019, setting a new lap record.

However, Irwin – whose best BSB result this year was ninth – has decided to cut his losses and move on.

Irwin said: “Thank you to everyone involved for their best efforts for this season. Unfortunately I couldn’t see how we could achieve what we all expected this season.

“Good luck to Kawasaki and Quattro moving forward.”

In a statement, Kawasaki Motors UK Senior Racing Coordinator, Ross Burridge, said: “Glenn has a long history with Kawasaki, riding for us in a multitude of classes and achieving numerous successes along the way.

“We signed Glenn on to the team with the hope of retaining the British Championship title this year, but for a myriad of reasons it hasn't worked out.

“I would like to personally thank Glenn for his efforts in trying to turn his season around and for his tremendous achievement at the North West 200. Best of luck in what the future holds for you Glenn.”

Irwin took over in the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team from Leon Haslam, who won the BSB title last year before teaming up with Jonathan Rea in the World Superbike Championship.

He finished third in the Showdown in 2018 in his third and final year with Paul Bird’s Be Wiser Ducati team, claiming his only victory of the campaign at the final round at Brands Hatch.