‘Easy to press the panic button’ after Oulton, but ‘we took a lot away’ - Irwin

Glenn Irwin comes into round two of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike campaign eager to get his championship challenge started. 

While Irwin secured three top ten finishes at Oulton Park, unavoidable contact in race three left the Northern Irishman needing a recovery ride through the field.

The Honda rider did just that as he recovered from 20th to tenth, however, it’s a result which leaves him 52 points behind championship leader Jason O’Halloran already. 

But given the fact Irwin's results were similar to that of last year at Oulton Park and still ended up taking the title fight down to the last round, pressing ‘the panic button’ was not a consideration, as ‘we managed to improve in all areas’.

"I feel better coming into this weekend, how we finished at Oulton Park wasn’t too bad and we took a lot away from the weekend, as well as learning from any negatives," said Irwin. 

"After a weekend like Oulton it’s easy to press the panic button when you have a race that doesn’t go how you want it to, but in reality, Oulton wasn’t too dissimilar from last year and we managed to improve in all areas. 

"The test at Knockhill was good and I feel we’ve furthered the bike since then and feel we have moved forward. 

"The test was an interesting one as timing was unofficial, but we all have an idea of what everyone did. 

"I felt strong during the test, even though we’ve not raced there since 2019, and having missed a year there I think it helps as everyone is in the same boat. Knockhill is a great track to ride but it can also catch you out if you’re not careful."