Glenn Irwin: Rider must be officially assessed before return, say BSB organisers

British Superbike Championship organisers have said Glenn Irwin must be officially assessed before this weekend’s round at Thruxton, despite the rider’s declaration he had already been passed fit to return from injury.

The 35-year-old suffered fractures to his hip socket and pelvis as a result of a practice crash at Snetterton in June and had surgery on his sacrum (pelvic region) as part of his treatment.

Irwin said he had been “declared fit” for the races at Thruxton, a round earlier than originally planned, and was aiming to return with new team OMG Racing Yamaha after parting ways with PBM Ducati earlier this week.

When announcing Irwin’s departure from the team, PBM said there had been a “point of conflict” over the immediacy of the Northern Ireland rider’s return.

In response, Irwin felt there had been a lack of loyalty from his team, who will run Scott Redding in his place, adding they weren’t “prepared to wait” for him.

A statement on Thursday from MSRV, which runs the BSB championship, said Irwin is “currently on the ‘unfit list'” until he is cleared by the series’ chief medical officer.

While being cleared to compete by the chief medical officer is common procedure in any motorsport series, and Irwin’s tests from other medical professionals means there is a good chance he will be cleared to race, he must wait for official confirmation from the CMO before he is allowed to compete.

MSRV said riders returning from “serious injury” must present themselves for a final sign off for return by the championship’s chief medical officer, who has the “sole discretion” over their participation.

The assessment will take place before first practice at Thruxton, which is scheduled to begin at 13:00 BST.

Tommy Bridewell and Charlie Nesbitt, who are also entered for the round at Thruxton, will also undergo a similar assessment to Irwin.