From the medical centre to the winners' enclosure - Rhys Irwin riding high

Rhys Irwin is riding high on the crest of a wave with no less than four consecutive podium finishes including a win in the premier class at British Superbikes and points in his first-ever World Superbikes Championship in the last three weeks.

This Supersport class has seen a surge in talent this past three years with British Champions and World Superbike racers re-joining the full grids of over 30 bikes delivering superb racing in the bid to progress on to Superbike rides at BSB and WSB.

Irwin, from Kilmacrennan, began this weekend at Snetterton still on a high from his first-ever World Superbikes race the week before and kept the momentum going with P2 in FP1 & 2. He backed this up with a consistent Qualifying on the front row of the grid with P2 in Race 1, just behind World Supersport contender Booth Amos. Sunday began with an unfortunate incident in the morning warm-up with another racer making a mistake, hitting Irwin side on leaving him in the medical centre and a damaged bike.

With limited time before the race the team pulled it out of the bag to get the bike on the starting grid for race two ending with a triumphant Irwin finished a brave race P2 behind British Champion Stapleford and in front of Booth Amos.

In his post-race interview with Shaky Byrne, Irwin paid tribute to his team for the amount of work that they all put in all weekend but especially to get the bike to the grid for Race 2.

“I really am enjoying my racing,” he said. “I have a super team and I am having the best year of my life' the beaming Rhys said. 'I am just so grateful for all the support that I am getting from everyone I can't thank everyone enough.'
Irwin’s next race will be at Brands Hatch in two weeks' time.