Glenn Irwin says his “sole goal” is to win the British Superbike Championship after signing a new two-year deal with the PBM Ducati team.
The Carrickfergus man is focused on becoming Northern Ireland’s first BSB champion after recently announcing his decision to retire from road racing.
Irwin, who is the most successful Superbike rider ever at the North West 200 after extending his unbeaten run to 11 successive wins this year, has finished as the runner-up in the BSB standings twice.
The 34-year-old lost out by only half-a-point in 2023 in a nail-biting title battle against team-mate Tommy Bridewell, who moved to the official Honda Racing team this season.
Irwin, third in this year’s championship behind Kyle Ryde and Bridewell, was the sole rider in the PBM team, which is run by Paul Bird’s children, Jordan and Frank, after his shock death following a short illness in September last year.
“First of all, to re-sign with PBM and to continue onboard the Ducati was an absolute priority; to be honest it didn’t take much negotiation,” Irwin said.
“Jordan, Frank and Johnny (Mowatt, team-coordinator) came to my motorhome at Donington Park and everyone is on the same wavelength. We all want to win; we are all working hard, purely to win championships.
“I think also after my recent announcement with my career, my sole goal is to win the British Superbike Championship; we know that is the goal of the team too as they chase their tenth title. “To have a two year contract is cool, as in one sense you have security, but what makes it so cool is that we have consistency, something that I will be working hard on myself too.
“Hopefully, the stars align a little better as this year was a little bit tough at times, but we have put that behind us and are working hard towards 2025 and 2026 with Ducati,” said Irwin, who struggled at times this year with rear grip issues with the harder Pirelli control tyre. “So I have to say thank you to the team and all of our sponsors for making it happen. To Jordan and Frank, to Johnny and the entire team let’s go and continue where we have left off the past two seasons.
“For me, I am looking within myself for more and seeing what I need to bring to the table in the search for that elusive first championship.”
Jordan Bird, joint team owner, said the extended partnership with Irwin offered long-term stability as the team chases an unprecedented 10th BSB crown.
“It is fantastic that we can announce that Glenn will remain with the PBM Racing Team for the next two seasons, ensuring we have consistency and stability as we strive to achieve our tenth title,” she said. “This season was a big year for myself, Frank and the entire team and I am so proud of what we have all achieved in our first full season together. I also want to thank again all of our loyal partners who made it happen.
“Now we are all focused on the new season and are working hard behind the scenes in preparation to come out fighting for the championship in 2025. We can’t wait to get started.”
The first official British Superbike test is due to take place next year at Navarra in Spain from April 6-7, with the opening round of the championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the May Bank Holiday weekend from May 3-5.