Glenn Irwin confirmed with Honda Racing for 2022 British Superbike Championship

Glenn Irwin ride for the official Honda Racing UK team in the British Superbike Championship for a third season in 2022.
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The Northern Ireland rider will continue on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade next year, when Irwin also hopes to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT.

Irwin is joined in a four-man BSB line-up by reigning Superstock 1000 champion Tom Neave, who makes the step up to the feature class, while Japanese duo Ryo Mizuno and Takumi Takahashi will line up in the Honda colours for a second consecutive campaign as the Louth-based team makes a four-rider commitment to the series for the first time.

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“I’m delighted to sign again with Honda Racing UK for the third consecutive season, I think we’ve had two years of a good foundation and an excellent debut with the Fireblade SP, and despite lots of little challenges we have learnt a lot about the bike,” Irwin said.

Glenn Irwin will continue riding for Honda Racing in the 2022 British Superbike Championship.Glenn Irwin will continue riding for Honda Racing in the 2022 British Superbike Championship.
Glenn Irwin will continue riding for Honda Racing in the 2022 British Superbike Championship.

“I expect good things and especially with the development from this season. What I want and what the team want is to step up and to fight more with the top runners on a consistent basis. Having Ryo and Takumi staying with the team is good and I enjoyed working with them this season and the input they had – at times they were starting to show more pace which will only help the team moving forward,” added the Ulster rider.

“Tom stepping up is fantastic and a team-mate I’ve been wanting, he’s young, he’s hungry, very dedicated and will certainly keep me on my toes. It does no harm to have a team-mate like that.

“I think 2022 can be a good season, I’ve been under the knife recently for my shoulder, getting that fixed, and I am looking forward to going into a new season clear of injury, and I am looking forward to going testing.”

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Irwin, a four-time Superbike winner at the North West 200, has yet to ride the Honda on the roads, with the major meetings cancelled last year and again in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the North West will be a big part of his plans in 2022, while Irwin is also eager to compete at the TT for the first time.

Honda, though, is understood to have reached agreement with 23-time TT winner John McGuinness for next year, although a question mark remains over who will be the Morecambe man’s TT team-mate.

While making no mention of the team’s plans for the roads in 2022, Havier Beltran, Honda Racing UK team manager, said he was confident Carrickfergus man Irwin will be a BSB title contender.

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“I’m pleased Glenn is continuing with us. We know he has the pace to fight at the front, which he has shown in the last two seasons with the team, it’s just been bad luck that has hampered his progress as well as injury this season, but I am confident a fit Glenn Irwin can be a contender for the title,” he said.

“I’m really pleased to see Tom move up the ranks into BSB for the 2022 season, it’s been a pleasure working with him in the Superstock class where we’ve watched him grow from his debut with the team, through to becoming the 2021 champion. It’s always great when you can support and nurture young talent into the next step of their career and it’s going to be an exciting season for him.

“I’m also delighted to have Ryo and Takumi back with us for next year, they played a vital role for the team this season testing and developing new components and now with more track knowledge, I think we’ll see them further up the grid and fighting for the top-ten.”

Irwin finished eighth overall this season in the Showdown, sealing his sole win at Silverstone in race one in September.

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