BSB: Andrew Irwin joins SYNETIQ BMW for 2021 season

Andrew Irwin will line-up for the SYNETIQ BMW TAS Racing team for the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season.

Irwin announced his departure from Honda Racing UK after two successful seasons this week and will now join forces with the Northern Ireland based team. As well as a new team, Irwin will also have the all-new BMW M1000 RR at his disposal next season. 

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“TAS has a lot of racing history and is a team I’ve always looked up to, so there’s lots of motivation to be competing at the sharp end of British Superbike on the SYNETIQ BMW next season,” Irwin said. “I’ve raced against the BMW this past few years and have seen first-hand the potential of the package. I can’t wait to get started now on the all-new M 1000 RR.

“I’m still young in terms of my Superbike career and not yet quite the finished article, but I’m hungry to learn and keep improving and together with the SYNETIQ BMW team, I believe we can do that.”

Irwin was one of the breakout stars of the 2020 season after he, and brother Glenn, instantly clicked with the new Honda Fireblade. The 26-year-old won the opening two races of the campaign around the Donington Park National Circuit before adding another victory to his CV around the GP layout at same venue. Irwin ended his 2020 BSB campaign sixth overall. 

His work with the brand-new Honda may become an advantage when working with the first-ever BMW M motorbike. 

“To be honest we are very excited at the opportunity to work with Andrew and having watched his progress this past few years, he is clearly a potential future champion,” team principal Philip Neil added. Personally, I admire Andrew’s determination on track and his professional attitude off it, so this will be a perfect fit for SYNETIQ BMW.

“Andrew’s desire to join us at TAS Racing was extremely motivating and this made the decision very easy when the opportunity became available. The new 2021 BMW M 1000 RR will be a massive asset to our championship challenge in BSB and it was clear from the first conversation with Andrew, his motivation to represent BMW Motorrad on this new machine was extremely high.”

Irwin also won at Thruxton during his first campaign with Honda in 2018 after making his BSB debut with PBM Ducati midway through 2017. Irwin replaced the injured Shane Byrne from Snetterton onwards that year, again racing alongside brother Glenn. 

The second rider in the SYNETIQ BMW 2021 BSB line-up will be revealed next week. The team will also remain as the official BMW Motorrad supported BSB team for the seventh consecutive season.