Irwin lands at Tyco BMW as Barbera gets another Kawasaki call-up

Glenn Irwin will see out the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Tyco BMW after he was confirmed as the replacement for the injured Keith Farmer, while ex-MotoGP rider Hector Barbera makes looks set to take his place at Kawasaki.

Ulsterman Irwin announced his departure from Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki last week after skipping the most recent round at Snetterton but will return at Thruxton this weekend in Tyco BMW colours after penning an agreement with the TAS Racing-run team.

He joins Christian Iddon on the factory-backed BMW S1000RR entry and replaces Farmer, who is won’t return to action with Tyco BMW this season as he continues his recovery from a broken leg sustained at Knockhill. 

“First of all, I’d like to thank TAS Racing, Tyco and BMW for this opportunity to ride the Tyco BMW S1000RR for the remainder of the season. They are a team I’ve always looked up to and aspired to race for, so to now get that opportunity, I’m absolutely delighted. 

“I’ve raced against the new BMW S1000RR this season already, and it looks like a strong package with plenty of potential, so I can’t wait to get going.”

The Ulsterman began the 2019 BSB season with defending champions Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki and was considered a title favourite after concluding his 2018 campaign in third overall with Be Wiser Ducati.

However, Irwin struggled to gel with the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, his performances brought into sharper focus by the success of Barbera on the same bike at Donington Park. He will ride again with the team at Thruxton ahead of what could be a full-time switch for the Spaniard, who started 137 MotoGP races between 2010 and 2017.

“Glenn had a strong 2018 season in the British Superbike Championship finishing third overall and taking his debut race win in the class; so, to get the opportunity to sign someone of his calibre half way through the season, will hopefully prove to be a big plus for everyone involved with Tyco BMW,” added Tyco BMW boss Philip Neill.

“He will be thrown into the deep end a little at Thruxton, learning a new bike and working with a new team, but having six rounds left for him to show his full potential on the S1000RR, will allow us to be realistic this weekend with our expectations.”