BSB: Andrew Irwin suffers fractured right humerus in Knockhill test crash

Andrew Irwin has been diagnosed with a fractured right humerus following an incident during the private Bennetts British Superbike Championship test at Knockhill.

The Honda Racing UK rider crashed at turn one, and was taken to the medical centre for an assessment of his injured arm. Irwin was then transferred to Dundee hospital, where it was confirmed that he had broken his humerus.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Irwin, who failed to finish all three races at Donington Park earlier this month. In races one and three, Irwin was involved in near identical incidents at the Melbourne Loop, first with Christian Iddon and then with Storm Stacey.

As a result of the incident with Stacey, Irwin was handed three points on his licence and given a three-place grid penalty for his next race. Irwin crashed by himself at the Old Hairpin during race two.

After the opening three rounds of the 2023 BSB season, Irwin sits 12^th in the championship with a best result of fourth in the second race at Oulton Park.

It’s not yet known with Irwin will be able to make his return to racing, but given the severity of the injury, the Northern Irishman looks set to be on the sidelines for quite a while.

Round four of the season takes place at Knockhill on June 16-18, and is following by trips to Snetterton (July 7-9) and Brands Hatch (July 21-23).

The factory Honda team, currently competing at the Isle of Man TT with John McGuinness, have not made any comment on whether Irwin will be replaced by another rider whilst he recovers at home.

It’s been a tough campaign for the Honda riders so far in 2023. Irwin’s teammate, Tom Neave sustained a broken collarbone during pre-season testing, whilst road racer Nathan Harrison suffered a concussion, a broken collarbone, and a hairline fracture to his left radius at the North West 200. The 24-year-old was ruled out of the TT as a result.