Andrew Irwin edges brother Glenn for third place

Andrew Irwin sealed his second podium finish of the 2024 BSB season at Brands Hatch

Andrew Irwin edged out his brother Glenn to secure the final podium position in the first race of the weekend at the British Superbike round at Brands Hatch on Saturday.

Ryan Vickers was a convincing winner of the race on his OMG Yamaha and had 7.33 seconds to spare over runner-up Tommy Bridewell at the finish line.

For English rider Vickers, it was his first race victory since he clinched a double at the opening round of the series in Navarra in Spain in April.

After Danny Kent crashed out of second spot, it appeared that defending champion Bridewell and PBM Ducati rider Glenn Irwin were set to battle it out for second and third.

Andrew Irwin had other ideas however as he progressed through the pack from 11th to overtake his brother and take third behind his Honda Racing team-mate for his second rostrum of the season.

Behind Glenn, Christian Iddon and Kyle Ryde made up the top six leaderboard, while Donegal's Richard Kerr was 19th on his bow for the Cheshire Mouldings BMW team as he deputised for the injured Rory Skinner.

Glenn Irwin and Bridewell are tied at the top of the championship standings on 189 points ahead of Saturday's sprint race and second feature race at the Kent circuit.

The two rivals fought it out for the BSB crown last season, with Bridewell prevailing by just half a point from his then PBM Ducati team-mate.

Dubliner Jack Kennedy won the first Supersport race at Brands, pipping Ben Currie by just 0.015 seconds, with Luke Stapleford third and Alastair Seeley from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland fourth.

Fermanagh native Lee Johnston was 18th on his Ashcourt Racing Triumph on his return to action after a lengthy spell out through injury.