Tommy Bridewell becomes first rider to announce 2020 plans with Oxford Racing Ducati

Moto Rapido Ducati have announced that they have successfully retained Tommy Bridewell for the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with the continued partnership of Oxford Products following their strongest campaign to date this season.

Bridewell has taken the Winchester-based Ducati dealership team to their first Showdown position this season with a round still remaining of the Main Season, celebrating ten podium finishes so far this year ahead of this weekend’s triple-header Title Fighter decider at Oulton Park.

Bridewell said: “I think for me the emphasis is on continuation and building on what we have done this year, because I have never had that continuity before and in this game that makes a big difference. We have seen how strong the V4 is and for me there was never any doubts - it was important to stay in this team, in BSB for 2020.

“Me and Wilf [team owner] just work! Honestly it is a great team for me to be with and that shows in what we have done so far this year. It is that time of the season; but we have our Showdown place confirmed already, our deal for 2020 confirmed already and that puts us in a really strong position now before the end of the year.”

Team owner Steve Moore commented: “The 2019 season for Oxford Racing has been fantastic, rewarding all our sponsors with 10 podiums so far and never holding less than third in the championship standings. With Tommy being a serious championship contender, I have been keen to keep the momentum going by securing and announcing our 2020 plans earlier than normal.

“This time of year the paddock talk starts to focus on next season, which can be a distraction for the teams and riders. So my plan was to secure Tommy for the 2020 season as soon as possible. It’s a huge compliment to have so many high quality riders express interest in joining our team, a credit to the professional job my team do, but Tommy was of course my first choice. It is a bit of a shame he is much more expensive than last year now that is the price of success I guess! But I think we can attract some more sponsors from our achievements. So now the silly season of 2020 uncertainty is over for us, we can get on with 2019 and plan a testing schedule for next year.”

Round 8 - Cadwell Park

Round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place at the technical Cadwell Park circuit.

Tommy Bridewell secured a third in race one and was a brilliant second in the second race on the Oxford Racing Ducati. He is now lying in third place in the overall Championship standings and secured his place in the Superbike Showdown.

This now means that he is one of only six riders that can win the British Superbike Championship!

Race 1

Tommy had some good practice sessions and was consistently in the top three throughout the weekend and eventually qualifying the Ducati on the front row in third position. He got a good start in race one and was fourth at the end of the opening lap. He soon made a pass on Jason O Halloran for third but was unable to make a challenge for the lead.

Race 2

Tommy set the fastest lap in the opening race and sat on pole position for the race two. Another good start saw him leading the race for many laps until Josh Brookes made a pass on Tommy making it stick. Despite the close racing and setting yet another fastest lap of the race he was unable to get back past but secured another fantastic second place and his place in the Superbike Showdown.

Tommy Bridewell: “I’m happy; the team have worked really hard as always. I didn’t under estimate this weekend, I felt like it might have come a little bit easier which is the wrong thing to do but the team pulled together and got everything ready for me.

Going into race one I wasn’t sure where I stood as I’d been riding on my own all weekend which I like but it didn’t allow me to judge how other people were riding.

I gave everything in both races, I felt happy with the way I rode. We’ve come away confirmed in the showdown and we go to Oulton where we were strong before and I am looking forward to getting back there to hopefully get some more strong results.”

The team worked so very hard over the weekend to make the bike feel and react how Tommy wanted it, in the race he pushed himself and felt very comfortable.

We’re very proud that we have achieved so much already this year. As a team we have never made the Showdown Top Six and it was our original target for 2019. Now we have a real chance of winning this Championship.

Next round - Oulton Park

Round 7 – Thruxton

Round 7 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place at the ultra-fast Thruxton Circuit. Tommy Bridewell secured a solid eighth in race one and was fifth in the second race on the Oxford Racing Ducati. He is now lying in third place in the overall Championship.

It is always tough at Thruxton to get a good set-up for tyre life as the track is very abrasive but Tommy put in some good times during practice, we worked on tyre life for the race within the three sessions but with the variable temperature conditions it made this tricky. We excelled in qualifying putting the Oxford Racing Ducati on the front row in second giving us a good start and positive vibes for the races ahead.

Race 1

Tommy got a good start in the race and was fighting at the front but dropped back to fifth and was holding off challenges from other riders but he struggled with the heat in the track and his tyres. He dropped back to eighth at the end of the 20-lap race.

Race 2

For race two he started from seventh position, another good start saw him up in the leading bunch. However the race was red flagged twice, firstly due to rain and secondly for a large oil spillage. The race finally got re-started and it was an eight-lap dash. Tommy was fighting hard but the leaders made a small break and he had to settle for a strong fifth. 

Tommy – “Ultimately I am disappointed but also it could have been a lot worse. I’m not the biggest fan of flat out tracks I prefer more technical stuff like Cadwell and Oulton Park. To come away with an eighth and fifth for me in my position in the Championship as a team doesn’t look good.

We had a tyre problem in race one where it over heated and that was semi out of our hands. Because the second race got stopped and started so much I had to run with the harder tyre and it just doesn’t have the same grip as the zeros. I think it was obvious on the TV we didn’t have the grip to push forwards.

We have some good Championship points and we are going to circuits that I prefer much more, Cadwell and Oulton wish I love. Josh rode a great race and all credit to him and we were second Ducati. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season now.”

Round 8 takes place at Cadwell Park, 16 - 18 August

Round 6 - Snetterton

The sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place this weekend at the Snetterton 300 Circuit.

Tommy Bridewell and the Oxford Racing Ducati team had a small crash out of the lead in race one and achieved a great podium in third for race two.

It was a tough weekend for the Bridewell family as it marked the 12th anniversary of the loss of Tommy’s brother, Ollie. In an emotional qualifying session Tommy put the Ducati on the front row dedicating it to his late brother.

Race One

Tommy got a good start in race one and was lying fourth after the opening lap. He was soon making progress setting fastest laps and making some good passes on Mackenzie, Brookes and Redding for the lead. He led the race for several laps and was setting good times but unfortunately he tucked to front at Agostini on lap eight and crashed out thankfully unhurt.

Race Two

Tommy set the fastest lap of Race One and therefore started from pole position for Race Two, with another good start seeing him up at the sharp end. He was battling with Josh Brookes and Scott Redding for a podium place. He just was not able to make a pass for the win and secured another third place. We finished the race with an 18 second gap to fourth place!

Tommy is still lying second place in the Championship standings.

Tommy: “I’ve got mixed emotions. Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself and the team to get wins. Podiums are mega in BSB and it’s not easy to get them. As a racer you always want more.

I’m disappointed for race one as I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong but the data shows I was pushing a bit too hard and I lost the front. I had great pace and a really good feeling with the bike.

In race two I just feel we didn’t have that extra bit to push with Josh and Scott. I wanted to up my pace at the end but I lost front feeling and didn’t want to push too hard and risk crashing again so I’ll happily take another podium.

I’m disappointed to come away with only 16 points but we’re in a good position for the Championship and the showdown and the team have done a fantastic job. We just have to keep making steps forward and be more patient and hopefully we can challenge for that win at Thruxton!”

The team did a fantastic job this weekend, we had a good set up with the bike and Tommy had fire in his belly, I am gutted we didn’t claim our win in race one but our time will come and I am so thankful for your support.

Round seven is at Tommy & Moto Rapido’s home circuit Thruxton Circuit 2nd – 4th August

Round 5 - Knockhill

We all knew that Knockhill would be a tough track for us but after the practice sessions Friday we knew we had our work cut out for us.

Round five of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place at Knockhill this weekend and the Oxford Racing Ducati team had a really strong weekend with a fifth and third place with Tommy. He is now lying in second place in the Championship standings just four points adrift of new leader Scott Redding.

The weather conditions were mixed this weekend with glorious sunshine on Friday for the first two practice sessions but conditions worsened on Saturday just in time for qualifying. This got delayed but the organisers did a great job to get everyone out for a 40-minute wet session. Tommy ended up qualifying for race one in 9th position.

Race One

The first race was always going to be tricky as there was only one dry racing line and it was quite important to stay on it whilst using the slick tyres that the majority of the grid opted for. Tommy got a good start and worked his way up through the field over the 30-lap race to finish in a solid fifth position.

Race Two

Tommy was placed on the row in front for race two in sixth and once again he was eager to get away with the front runners. He got another good start and was sixth after the opening lap and he was keen to push harder than race one. His lap times were strong and he was soon making passes and fighting for a podium position and more vital podium credits. The race was cut short on lap 24 due to an oil leak from another rider and Tommy and the team were delighted to collect another third place.

Tommy: “It was certainly a more challenging weekend for definite but the team has worked really hard to get me the results that I got today, I struggled to get comfortable on the bike and get my head round the circuit a little bit.

It’s a real credit to the Oxford Products Moto Rapido Ducati team; they worked endless hours to get me in a strong position to fight for the podium. To come away with a fifth and a third and more points on the board was always going to be the target. I’m really happy with the end result and I’m looking forward to Snetterton as I think we’ll be a lot stronger there and back fighting for the race wins.”

Round 6 is at Snetterton Circuit 19th – 21st July

Round 4 - Brands Hatch GP

The Oxford Racing Ducati team headed to round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend at the Brands Hatch GP circuit where rider Tommy Bridewell gained another podium in third in race one and he was a strong second in the second race.

Tommy Bridewell now leads to British Superbike Championship by 14 points.

All the practice sessions went well and Tommy just missed out on a front row qualifying position in fourth place.

Race One

The rain came down fairly heavily on race day morning and it was always going to be a tricky race with the conditions changing before they started. All bar one rider opted for full wets and it was a matter of preserving the tyres as much as possible for the 20-lap duration. Tommy led several laps of the race but it was a charging Josh Brookes who was working his way through the pack. Fighting with Dan (Linfoot) for the lead it was soon obvious that Josh was on a mission to come through. Tommy was pushed back to third but still secured another podium, more podium credits and the Championship lead.

Race Two

Tommy had another stunning race in race two and was fourth during the opening laps but he soon got his head down and was on a mission working his way through the pack setting some awesome lap times in the process. He was soon making inroads on Josh Brookes who had a healthy lead but Tommy was cutting the gap every lap. In the end he just wasn’t able to make the pass but secured a fantastic second place only losing out by 0.2 to Josh, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.

Tommy: “The positive are that we are a little team from Winchester and we are leading the British Superbike Championship by 14 points, I’ve never done that before. It’s mega for me and the team and just shows their hard work.

We made a change in race two which was extremely positive step. I’m slightly disappointed I didn’t get the win again but I know it is coming, I just need to be patient. I gave everything in that race and if Josh was getting away I would be questioning why, but I was able to catch him but just not make the pass on him.

It’s a real credit to the Oxford Products Moto Rapido team, they’ve given me a phenomenal package which has allowed me to get these great results. The Ducati turns fast, exits fast and handles so well, I couldn’t ask for more and I can’t thank the team enough for all their hard work.”

BSB Highlights can be seen on ITV4 this week (or catch up on Eurosport and Quest).

Next Round: Knockhill 28-30 June