BSB: Bridewell back with MotoRapido Ducati

Tommy Bridewell will return to Bennetts British Superbike action at Brands Hatch this weekend after signing a last-minute deal to join the MotoRapido Ducati team.

The Devizes rider was dumped by the Movuno.com Halsall Racing squad mid-way through the Snetterton weekend after what the team cited as ‘a few disagreements’.

Missing Knockhill as he was away testing in Japan for the Suzuka Eight Hour, Bridewell’s attention turned to being back on the grid for Brands Hatch this weekend.

The MotoRapido Ducati team amicably split with rider Taylor Mackenzie  at Knockhill, leaving a space for Bridewell to slot into ahead of the sixth round of the 2018 season this weekend.

“I am happy to be back racing this weekend, especially at Brands Hatch,” Bridewell said.

“Ducati is the only manufacturer I haven’t raced with so this will be a completely new venture and experience for me. Yes, we are starting straight off with free practice but it doesn’t worry me at all, I am feeling optimistic and hopefully I can click straight away with the Ducati and can be competitive from the outset.

“From the research I have done, the Ducati seems to have similar characteristics to the Yamaha I used to race and that still is one of the best bikes I have ever raced in BSB, so I am hoping that we can just get stuck in with free practice and build from there. It’s going to be an interesting weekend for us that’s for sure!”

Team owner Steve Moore added: “It’s been a busy ten days since Knockhill but we met with Tommy and worked out a deal. It was the obvious choice for good reason; riders like Tommy don’t get left on the shelf for long so I’m happy to have secured him. 

“Now we have a massive challenge ahead at Brands Hatch this weekend. As no testing is possible, the sensible and maybe smart thing to do would be to miss this round and start a proper test program – even just a few days testing to sort the basics.  But instead we have decided to go racing against established riders and teams with thousands of miles under their belts and well set up bikes, but where better to test than at a live race weekend? 

“Thanks to our sponsors and my team who have made this all happen. Tommy has never ridden a Ducati or twin cylinder Superbike so we have a busy few first sessions. I can’t wait to see what happens.”

Taylor Mackenzie has confirmed he’ll also be back on the grid at Brands this weekend as he returns to the National Superstock 1000 series with Bathams BMW.