IRWIN makes a comeback to secure victory in the second race, with just a 5.5-point lead heading into the final race.

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Glenn Irwin delivered an impressive performance to stage a comeback and secure victory in the second race of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship weekend at Brands Hatch. This victory narrowed Tommy Bridewell’s lead to just 5.5 points before the decisive third race.

Jason O’Halloran, who was donning a special livery to commemorate the McAMS Yamaha team’s final races in Bennetts BSB, initially took the lead from the Omologato Pole Position. However, Irwin wasted no time and swiftly made a bold move on O’Halloran at Druids to take an early lead, recognizing the need to close the gap in the standings behind Bridewell.

Saturday’s race winner, Kyle Ryde, quickly followed Irwin and moved past O’Halloran to secure the second position on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha. Meanwhile, Bridewell found himself in sixth place, with Christian Iddon and Leon Haslam separating him from the leading trio on the opening lap.

At the front, Ryde kept the pressure on Irwin, but Irwin was determined to maintain his lead. The leading riders were closely matched, with Irwin, Ryde, O’Halloran, and Bridewell all vying for a spot on the podium.

On the fifth lap, O’Halloran overtook Ryde at Paddock Hill Bend to claim second place. Ryde, however, fought back determinedly at Druids but was overtaken again by O’Halloran at Surtees. With the two battling for position, Bridewell closed in, turning the race into a four-way contest.

With the top four championship contenders closely monitoring each other on the track, it created an opportunity for Christian Iddon to catch up. Unfortunately, the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider’s podium hopes were dashed when he crashed at Druids on the eighth lap, prompting the BMW Safety Car to intervene.

When the race resumed at full speed on the 11th lap, Irwin maintained his lead with O’Halloran in pursuit. However, O’Halloran’s quest for victory came to an abrupt end as he dramatically crashed the McAMS Yamaha at Surtees.

Bridewell then applied pressure on Ryde for second place, and after an attempted pass at Hawthorn on the 13th lap, he successfully overtook Ryde at Paddock Hill Bend two laps later. Ryde attempted to fight back at the beginning of the 16th lap, both into Paddock Hill Bend and under braking at Druids. However, the move didn’t quite work, and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was forced wide and lost ground.

This allowed the BeerMonster Ducatis to lead the race, but the title rivals, who had been inseparable on the track throughout the year, continued to match each other. Bridewell continued to apply pressure in the remaining laps but had to settle for second place as Irwin crossed the finish line first.

As a result, Bridewell enters the final race of the year at Brands Hatch this afternoon with a 5.5-point lead over Irwin, knowing that a repeat of this result will be sufficient to secure the championship. Ryde secured third place, ensuring he remains in mathematical contention, trailing Bridewell by 30 points with only 35 points available in the final race.

Ryan Vickers finished fourth, while Lee Jackson and Leon Haslam saw their title hopes come to an end despite strong runs, finishing fifth and sixth. Max Cook, Josh Brookes, Peter Hickman, and Storm Stacey completed the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2