MOTORBIKES: I want to race at North West 200, says Glenn Irwin

New British Superbike signing Glenn Irwin, who has joined Paul Bird's new-look Be Wiser Ducati team for 2016, says he wants to ride at this year's North West 200.
Glenn Irwin.Glenn Irwin.
Glenn Irwin.

Irwin made his debut at the world-famous Triangle circuit in 2015 and, speaking to the Times at the launch of the Blackhorse NI Motorcycle Festival, the Carrick rider said: “I have read that I won’t be there but the truth of the story is I want to be there and there is nothing to say I won’t be there.

“I have options for bikes in all the classes and I suppose the only person who will stop me is my Be Wiser Ducati boss Paul Bird.

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“If I were racing I would love to go with the Ducati because I want to win Superbike races. I also want to make up for what I didn’t do in the 600 last year, so the NW200 is not ruled out,” he smiled.

The 25-year-old former Larne Grammar School pupil makes the step up in class this year after becoming a regular race-winner in the British Supersport Championship.

He will team up with four-times BSB champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and was upbeat when asked about the forthcoming tests and the future.

“I head off to the official Ducati tests at Portimao with World Superbike riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano and team-mate ‘Shakey’ Byrne, so I will be in with good company. It’s a track that I have ridden before so that will at least mean I know where I’m going,” he said.

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“I rode the Ducati road bike in December but this will certainly be different. I’ve a lot to learn over the two days before heading to the new Almeria circuit for a further two days’ testing. That will be four days on a Superbike and hopefully I will not be a million miles off ‘Shakey’ before heading to Silverstone in April for the opening round of the BSB.”

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