Scott Redding shared his perspective on the unexpected turn of events involving Glenn Irwin and PBM Ducati. The British Superbike Championship team had not officially disclosed their plans for Irwin upon his return from injury. Initially, Redding was brought in as a temporary replacement but was later confirmed to stay for the remainder of the season, even though PBM Ducati only had one bike available.
This issue was resolved in an unexpected way when Irwin and PBM Ducati abruptly parted ways, and Irwin competed in a Nitrus race riding a Yamaha. Redding was the first to confirm PBM Ducati’s intention to operate two bikes, at least as he anticipated. "I thought I’d be here racing alongside Glenn," Redding told TNT Sports last weekend at Thruxton, adding that he was surprised by the news of Irwin’s departure but is focused on doing his best. They still maintain communication, with Redding emphasizing that Irwin’s return is not about competition between them but about health and recovery, acknowledging that Irwin is eager to come back.
The split between Irwin and PBM Ducati centered on disagreements about the timing of Irwin’s return after pelvic surgery. Although Irwin’s crash at Snetterton initially seemed to be a long-term setback, he was determined to race sooner. Team manager Jordan Bird explained to TNT Sports that it was more comfortable not to ask Irwin to wait several rounds for full fitness, concerned that he might not be in the best shape for safe competitive racing. Bird noted that Irwin knew his readiness and respected the decision to move on, focusing the team’s full attention on Redding.
Irwin, now in Yamaha gear, reflected that the situation was less than ideal for everyone involved but was optimistic about new opportunities. He joked about riding a Yamaha at Thruxton and said the chance to race with Yamaha has been refreshing, especially since his original plans with PBM Ducati fell through.
Redding won at PBM Ducati’s Brand Hatch in Irwin’s absence. At Thruxton last weekend, he finished 11th, 7th, and 8th on a circuit traditionally favoring Yamaha, where Irwin finished 16th, 15th, and 17th in his debut race post-surgery.
Fan Take: This shake-up highlights the unpredictable nature of racing and the delicate balance between rider health and competition. For fans, it means shifts in team dynamics and an exciting new rivalry to watch, which could intensify the British Superbike Championship’s drama and competition moving forward.
