Dean Harrison scored four podiums at the Isle of Man TT, including two in the Superbike-class races. This weekend, he swaps one of the longest circuits in racing for one of the shortest.
Knockhill is almost exactly one-mile-long, which is quite the contrast to the 37.73 miles of the Snaefell Mountain Course that hosts the Isle of Man TT.
Off the back of four podium finishes at the Isle of Man, Harrison returns to the circuit where he scored his first BSB top 10 in 2022.
"It’s been a good few weeks over at the Isle of Man but now we get back to BSB and things couldn’t be more different this weekend," he said.
"We’ve been at a 37.73-mile road circuit and a seventeen minute lap and next up is a mile-and-a-bit and just 47 seconds a lap! We’ve learnt quite a lot about the bike though now so I’m heading to Knockhill keen to keep progressing and unlock some more of the potential of the bike. I’ll do what I always do and go out there and give it my best."
While Harrison is the main focus for Honda's hopes of victory on the roads, that pressure falls on the shoulders of reigning BSB Champion Tommy Bridewell on the short circuits.
For Bridewell, the TT has meant a pause in his racing action, having not races since the last BSB round at Donington on 17-19 May when he was close to winning for the first time as an official Honda rider.
"Donington Park was an amazing weekend really, we got slightly hampered potentially by the red flag in Race 1 as I think we had potentially race winning pace in that race," Bridewell said.
"In the last race in truth, I just enjoyed the battle. I enjoyed the battled whether it was for first or eigth or whatever it was for. The racing was fun, it was clean, all of the riders respected each other’s space and gave each other enough room and that is testament to the other guys as well and that was good.
"Going to Knockhill, there are a few places where I think we can improve and the team are working hard in those areas. The Honda has good history there of being competitive and strong, and I am looking forward to the next races."
Bridewell took part in the mid-season WorldSBK test at the Cremona circuit after the Donington BSB, along with Andrew Irwin who also showed signs of progress at Donington.
"I’m looking forward to Knockhill and getting back on my bike," Irwin said. "I’ve had a nice couple of weeks off working away behind the scenes to keep myself fit and sharp. At Donington we started to show some potential and make some really positive steps forward.
"I’m hoping to continue building on that and to make further progress. I’m not heading there with any expectations, I just want to go there ride my bike, enjoy myself and I think by doing that hopefully the results will come. I know it’s been a busy period for the team so I’m looking forward to catching up with them again and getting back to it."
