Brands BSB Final: ‘I rode the absolute wheels off the bike’ - Bridewell

2022 was another strong season for Tommy Bridewell in this year’s British Superbike Championship with third overall the outcome, the third time in the last four years that he’s finishes in the top three.

The Oxford Racing Ducati ruder came into the final round at Brands Hatch with a slim chance of taking the title but, 67 points adrift of eventual champion Bradley Ray, second overall was the more realistic aim.

Glenn Irwin’s double victory meant Bridewell had to settle for third overall as he took a brace of fourths and a fifth at the Kent venue, the latter particularly impressive as an electrical problem forced him to start from pit lane.

“The weekend itself was good and as soon as I rolled out of the pits with the bike, I felt comfortable,” Bridewell said. “The lack of dry track time possibly hampered us in the races whilst coming from pit lane and last, by some distance, to fifth was unbelievable and a result to be proud of.

“In the final race, I rode the absolute wheels off the bike to stay with the leading group and there was nothing left. It was another fourth place but a good way to sign off the season.”

With victory at Oulton Park and another eight podiums across the course of the season, Bridewell and the team were again the leading Ducati exponents and whilst the number one plate eluded him, he was rightfully pleased with his season.

“2022 has been another achievement for me and the team and it’s no mean feat finishing third in BSB as the calibre of the teams and riders is unbelievable now,” he said. “It’s been tough along the way but we can hold our heads high.

“It took us a bit of time to get going as the new dynamic with the bike took a bit of time to understand. We struggled in a few areas but it was a