Glenn Irwin to ride for PBM Ducati team in 2024 BSB series and NW200

Glenn Irwin leads Tommy Bridewell during one of their titanic race tussles during the 2023 BSB season

Glenn Irwin will ride for the PBM Ducati team in the 2024 British Superbike series and North West 200.

Irwin was edged out by just half a point by championship winner Tommy Bridewell in last year's series.

The pair both rode for the PBM Ducati team in the 2023 season but Bridewell has since moved to Honda Racing.

Irwin, 33, who won 10 races in last year's BSB series, and secured eight additional podiums, will be the sole rider for the Ducati outfit in 2024.

The Carrickfergus rider will also take in the North West 200 in May as he aims to become the most successful Superbike rider in the history of the international road race.

Irwin has won eight straight Superbike races at the event to sit one behind the record of nine held jointly by the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter.

The number of Superbike races at the meeting has been increased from two to three for this year, with the first being staged on Thursday 9 May and the remainder on Saturday 11 May.

Irwin was named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year for the second year in a row in January in recognition of his achievements in 2023.

Glenn Irwin was a double winner for the PBM Ducati team at the 2023 North West 200

'No room for complacency'

For the forthcoming campaign, the Northern Irishman will again have a Ducati V4R at his disposal as he bids to secure a maiden BSB title success, having finished runner-up in both of the last two years.

The PBM team is now fronted by Jordan and Frank Bird following the untimely death of their father, former team boss Paul Bird, last year.

The Cumbria-based team have won a record nine British Superbike titles.

"It might sound like a cliche, but there was never really anywhere else I wanted to be, despite interest from elsewhere when there was some uncertainty, my heart and attention was always to remain with PBM," said Irwin.

"To touch on last year, we had an amazing season working together, and after four years apart we came back together, and I think in that time I have grown up and matured.

"The team went through a lot last year, but it was also an amazing year, and the championship was one of the most exciting in history and I am extremely grateful to have been a part of that.

"It didn't work out in my favour as such, but it doesn't take any of the sweetness away from it because we had great success.

"I believe and fully expect myself to be fighting for the championship from the off, but we also have to understand some changes and we will have to adapt.

"It certainly isn't just a case of roll the dice like last year, we have a lot of work to do, and I think it is important that we are not complacent.

"We do our work, and then I think we can certainly be in for a lot of race wins and success ahead."