NI rider Irwin targets August return after crash

Glenn Irwin finished second in the British Superbike series in 2023

British Superbike rider Glenn Irwin is targeting a return to the track in August after indicating his recovery from injuries sustained in a crash at Snetterton is progressing ahead of schedule.

The 35-year-old suffered fractures to his hip socket and pelvis as a result of the incident in June and had surgery on his sacrum (pelvic region) as part of his treatment.

Irwin crashed during a free practice session at the third round of the series, having finished on the podium in four of the first five races of the 2025 season.

He sat out the last round of the British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in early July and will also miss next weekend's meeting at Brands Hatch.

The record 11-time North West 200 Superbike winner said he will return for the Cadwell Park races in Lincolnshire on 23-25 August, but could even make the Thruxton round in Hampshire from 8-10 August.

Irwin told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson: "Originally I feared that my season was done. Now I'm thinking, come back, then target a podium after that and target a win before the season is out.

"Realistically I should be doing the last four or five meetings, which would be starting from Cadwell, but with how things are going and the speed of recovery I wouldn't rule out an earlier return.

"Thruxton is maybe a good one to come back for. It's quite a relaxed track to ride at but whatever one we do come back for it will be because we are medically fit, not just taking chances."

Irwin was at Royal Portrush to watch The Open on crutches

The Hager PBM Ducati rider revealed the outcome of the crash could have been worse.

"I made a mistake, ran a little bit wide on the left-hander before Turn Nine and that resulted in a huge high-side," he added.

"I always look at the positive picture. My brother Andrew missed me by two inches, which would obviously have been a very different outcome.

"I fractured my sacrum into multiple pieces and fractured my right hip socket but I'm good. I had surgery three weeks ago on Thursday."

The Northern Ireland rider explained his medical team were content with the better-then-expected pace of his recovery.

"I was meant to be six weeks non-weight bearing but we're already ahead of the game. I had a review in the Royal [Victoria Hospital in Belfast] and as bike riders we're always looking to 'jump the gun'.

"This time the doctors were saying, 'you can walk with your crutches now, you can cycle, you can swim', so now you get a picture of a return.

"I'm already back in the gym and that's been a huge step, so back training. The progress has been huge and I'm excited now as I see a goal in front of me."