Irwin has 'interesting' start to BSB career

Young rookie Glenn Irwin has made a strong start to his BSB career- despite throwing up in his helmet on the first laps of the Cartagena circuit!

The 25 year old has been suffering from a chest infection for the past three weeks.

“I came down the start straight and boked into my helmet going into Turn One.” he said after his opening session on the Be Wiser Ducati. “I feel 200% physically fit but its just when I get the cough.”

The Northern Irishman has been rewarded with the ride as Shakey Byrne’s teammate in Paul Bird’s squad after an impressive 2015 season that saw him finish fourth in the British Supersport series and score podium finishes at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

“Shakey has been brilliant and I am going to spend some time behind him this weekend.” Irwin explained. Both the Cartagena circuit and Ducati are new territories for the Carrickfergus man. “I was here once before with Mar-Train and I put the bike into the tyre wall on the first day and ended up in hospital so we are basically new to here.”

The Spanish test is Irwin’s third outing on the Ducati after earlier test sessions at Portimao and Almeria. “When the bike was stripped after those we found the rear brake wasn’t working so we will go out here with that sorted.” he explained.

“The rear brake helps you find grip and riding one of these bikes with that horsepower and nothing to load the rear can be a bit a ropey!”

Coming straight into such a high profile ride in his first BSB season will bring its pressures but for now the young gun is taking it all in his stride. “It is good fun and I am really enjoying it.” he said. “It’s good to be out there and see all the people I look up to out on track.