Honda Racing says a fond farewell to Andrew Irwin and welcomes Ryan Vickers for 2026 BSB campaign.
Honda Racing says a fond farewell to Andrew Irwin
After three consecutive seasons together in the British Superbike Championship (BSB), and five seasons in total, Honda Racing announces that Andrew Irwin will leave the team at the end of the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old from Carrickfergus first joined the Honda Racing squad in 2019, claiming his first BSB victory at Thruxton in that first season with the team, finishing eighth in the standings that year. He followed up this debut with three more wins in 2020, which carried him to sixth in the points.
Returning to the team in 2023, Irwin’s plans were blighted by an arm injury picked up in testing at Knockhill, forcing him to sit out much of the subsequent season. Nevertheless, he returned to form in 2024, delivering a consistent performance throughout the year that yielded several podium finishes.
In 2025, Irwin picked up another injury at the opening round of the season, battling his way back to fitness to build a strong series of podium finishes through the second half of the year. This run of success was halted by another injury after crashing out of the lead battle at Donington Park in September, from which he is currently recovering well ahead of schedule.
Everyone at Honda Racing wishes Andrew well in his continued recovery, and looks forward to seeing him back on the grid very soon.
Andrew Irwin
“My second term with Honda Racing UK comes to an end after three years. I think we’ve been pretty unlucky with some big injuries, but in all I’ve enjoyed it, and we’ve achieved some good successes. Honda have always given me a fantastic package and a fantastic team around me, and none of it would have been possible without all of the team, not just the actual race team but all the staff in Louth and everyone who plays their part in the background. Most of all to my crew chief, Spider, who has always had my back. I’m looking forward to what comes next for Andrew Irwin, but I’m equally excited to see what comes next for Honda Racing. I’ll always be a fan and keep them close to my heart.”
Andrew Irwin
Team Principal Neil Fletcher
“Andrew has been a valued team player within the operation at Louth and an important member of the family at Honda Racing for five seasons. As we take a new approach to many aspects of the Honda Racing squad for the 2026 BSB season, we have agreed to part company, and thank him for his enormous contribution both on and off the track over five seasons with the team. Together, we achieved multiple wins and podiums on various iterations of Fireblade. His professionalism and dedication to his racing is a testament to his character. I know that Andrew will pursue new opportunities and we are sure that he will be back battling at the top of the order. We look forward to establishing a friendly rivalry as soon as possible.”
Honda Racing welcomes Ryan Vickers for 2026 BSB campaign
Honda Racing is delighted to announce that nine-time BSB race winner Ryan Vickers will be joining the squad to race a factory Honda Fireblade in the British Superbike Championship (BSB) from the start of 2026.
The Norfolk-based 26-year-old has been competing in the Superbike World Championship in 2025, but he is no stranger to British fans.
Vickers first rose to prominence when racing in the British Junior Superstock series, supporting BSB. A dominant championship title was won in 2018, in which he took victory in all but two races held all season, before moving up to BSB competition the following year.
Scoring his first career BSB win at Brands Hatch mid-way through the 2023 season, the Bury St Edmunds-born charger followed up with another win at Donington in the autumn.
Having completed his initiation among the best riders in the BSB field, Vickers enjoyed a career-best season in 2024, claiming seven wins in the series, including a clean sweep at both Navarra and Brands Hatch. These results hoisted him to a career-best of fifth in the championship standings at the end of the season.
With a highly impressive debut season in the World championship now under his belt, Vickers will return to BSB action as a factory rider for the first time in his career with the Louth-based Honda Racing squad.
Rider Ryan Vickers
“I’m extremely proud and privileged to be joining Honda Racing at a very important time in my career and also in the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP’s development. I am really excited as we set out on this project with clear goals, and to be joining a team with such experience and knowledge. I know we will be able to achieve great things together.”
Ryan Vickers
Team Principal Neil Fletcher
“Ryan brings a new dimension to Honda Racing for 2026, and we are all delighted to see him join the team and to continue the upward trajectory that his BSB career was taking in 2024. His talents have remained obvious to all, and experience gained in the World championship has proven to be the making of several riders in the BSB paddock. We are all looking forward to writing this new chapter together.”
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