Gearlink Kawasaki's Glenn Irwin declared his debut Motorpoint British Supersport victory as a 'big shock' after limited track time in the wet over the winter.

The Northern Irishman went on to take a dig at fellow Carrickfergus rider Alistair Seeley, stating that he adapted to the conditions better and light-heartedly claiming he is 'the best rider in Carrickfergus'.

"I’d say it was a big shock because, like Alastair, before the weekend I hadn’t ridden the bike in the wet and I obviously made a better job of it than him. It all worked well, we had no issues in adapting to the track conditions," said Irwin, speaking after the race.

"I don’t know where to start with that race. I made a good start and it felt good the whole time. It wasn’t a problem to increase my pace from lap to lap when I had to, I knew I had more and could go when it was needed. I think Luke ran a bit wide at Druids when the back markers hindered him but I was ok there - it all worked perfectly and I was a little braver when I needed to.

"I wasn’t really looking at my laps until I realised there was just three to go and then I knew it was just about done. It was a good job but that’s it, that’s the first one done now and it’s on to tomorrow. The weather looks like it could be better so that should be even better for us."