Irwin warms up for NW200 with superb BSB victory

Carrickfergus man Glenn Irwin produced a composed ride to clinch his first victory of the British Superbikes season at Oulton Park.

On his PMB Ducati, Irwin dominated the opening race of the bank holiday meeting as he finished 1.069 seconds ahead of Christian Iddon.

Irwin's win moves him to within nine points of series leader Ryan Vickers, who finished fifth in Sunday's Race One.

The Northern Irishman's only moment of concern came as his bike wobbled on the penultimate corner but he quickly regained control to complete a dominant victory.

After Monday's two races at Oulton Park, Irwin will head straight to his native Northern Ireland for the coming week's North West 200 road racing meeting.

Kyle Ryde secured the final podium spot in Race One and is three points behind championship leader Vickers, who won both races in the opening round at Navarra in Spain.

Danny Kent, who was sixth on Sunday, occupies third place at this early stage of the championship, seven points behnd Vickers, will Irwin next in fourth spot.

Irwin's brother Andrew was just out of the points in 16th place, as he was 32.291 seconds off the pace.

Tommy Bridewell, who pipped Irwin by 0.5 points to win last year's title, finished fourth in Sunday's race and lies eighth in the championship - 26 points adrift of Vickers.