Glenn Irwin bounced back from his high-speed crash at Thruxton on Saturday to record his first podium of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with third in Sunday’s opener around the Hampshire venue.

The pace the Carrickfergus rider had shown from day one was finally converted into a race result and, arguably, the podium he deserved. He ran hat-trick hero Jason O’Halloran close up until two thirds race distance and although he briefly got pushed back to fourth, he regrouped to take third and the final rostrum position.
 
“Fair play to the team, they gave me a great bike for Sunday’s race after I destroyed the Fireblade on Saturday – I think the petrol tank was the only thing left after the crash,” Irwin said afterwards.
 
“There were a lot of positives to take away from Saturday’s race despite the crash and I felt confident I could manage the tyres in the longer races although I was equally aware everyone else could improve.”
 
“I tried to go with Jason in the early stages and not use too much tyre but in the closing stages he pulled away and the group behind caught me. I just sat there for a couple of laps but could see I still had a bit more tyre left than what they did. That extra grip allowed me to reclaim the places lost and get onto the podium.”
 
Irwin would have been many people’s favourite for the honours in the final wet race, such have been his performances in previous races held in similar conditions, but a slightly sluggish start – which saw him drop back to tenth – meant sixth was ultimately the outcome.
 
He still remains in tenth overall in the title standings but has reduced the gap to the top eight, and the coveted Showdown positions, to just seven points.
 
"I'm happy with the weekend in terms of points and managing to reduce the gap to the Showdown, despite the crash in race one. The Honda worked very well and on another day I reckon we could have had a 2-2-6, but it wasn't to be.
 
“I can't complain too much though as I was happy to take my first podium of the season. I was a bit slow at the beginning of the wet race but I learnt a lot and gained a lot of confidence, especially at the end of the race when the rain was heavier and I started to really get into the groove.”
 
Irwin will be hoping the podiums continue at the next round on the Donington National circuit where he took three second place finishes twelve months ago.