Ryde Triumphs as Bridewell and Irwin Collide in Second Race

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In a thrilling turn of events at Donington Park, Kyle Ryde seized victory in a captivating second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race. The excitement peaked when the teammates from BeerMonster Ducati, Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell, had a dramatic clash at the Melbourne corner, taking them out of contention.

The race for the 2023 championship title took yet another dramatic twist in a nail-biting seven-way battle for supremacy. Bridewell, who had started from the back of the grid in 26th position, showcased remarkable skill as he carved his way through the pack and caught up with the leading group by lap eight.

Irwin, on the other hand, had stormed to the front of the field from his 12th-place grid position, leading by the second lap ahead of Leon Haslam, Ryan Vickers, and Ryde, just as Bridewell joined the competitive pack.

As lap nine unfolded, a frenzy ensued for the lead, with rain flags waving and riders fiercely battling to maintain the upper hand. By the end of that lap, Bridewell had made a spectacular surge to claim the lead at Goddards.

The gripping duel between Bridewell and Irwin intensified, with Haslam, Vickers, and Ryde also firmly in the mix. The leading title contenders refused to yield an inch to their rivals, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.

However, on lap 11, Irwin managed to regain the lead, but Bridewell was relentless in his pursuit to regain the advantage. As the pack approached Melbourne on lap 12, Bridewell inadvertently made contact with the back of Irwin’s bike, leading to a dramatic collision that saw both BeerMonster Ducati riders crash out of the race, leaving them without any points once again.

Ryde managed to maintain his lead, with Haslam and Christian Iddon joining the fray. The race was red-flagged on lap 17 due to rain, heightening the tension. This turn of events brought Ryde and Haslam back into contention against their BeerMonster Ducati rivals. The championship race remained incredibly tight, with Ryde in third, now trailing Irwin by 31.5 points, and Haslam just two points further behind.

Lee Jackson showcased his consistency with a solid fourth-place finish for the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki team, followed by Jason O’Halloran on the McAMS Yamaha.

Ryan Vickers secured sixth place, leading the way for Charlie Nesbitt and Josh Brookes, with Max Cook and Peter Hickman completing the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 2 result: