Following the last event of the British Talent Cup season,
which ran alongside the final MotoGP event of the year in Valencia Spain,
Donegal's Rhys Irwin received the fantastic news that he would once again be on
the grid in 2019.
The British Talent Cup is organised by MotoGP promoters
Dorna and designed to find fresh talent from the British Isles to promote
through Moto3 and Moto2, and on into the MotoGP world championship. Fifteen-year-old
Rhys Irwin was the only Republic of Ireland rider on the grid in the inaugural
year of the series and the news that he would be back again in 2019 means he
will continue to fly the flag for Irish Motorcycle Racing on the world stage.
Irwin's first Talent Cup campaign was a major challenge as
he went up against much more experienced rivals, many with previous Moto3 and
European Talent Cup seasons under their belt. Having lost track time due to
incidents, mechanical issues and the weather induced cancellation of round two,
Rhys struggled to build momentum early in the season, but he bounced back to
pick up his first two points finishes at event three in Snetterton.
Following Snetterton the BTC made its first appearance on
the MotoGP programme, with two support races at the British Grand Prix in
Silverstone. Qualifying a season best fifth, Rhys scored points for the third
race in a row in race one, but his progress was again interrupted when the
second race was lost to an event ending downpour. The penultimate round in
Assen, Holland, was another tough one as a race one crash left him struggling
for track time on the unfamiliar circuit, meaning he could only manage a single
thirteenth place finish. The final event in Spain was also affected by the
weather, but Rhys one more impressed with his speed and ability.
Following the Spanish finale Rhys was informed that Dorna
were delighted with the progress he had made all year especially as he had
entered the season with so little experience. In recognition of his
performances and ability they then gave him the best possible finish to the
season by offering him an invitation to return in 2019.
“I've really enjoyed my first year at this level and with
all that I've learned over the season I'm delighted to have the chance to come
back next year and use that experience to fight for the championship”, said
Rhys after the final weekend of the year. “I know I can challenge at the front
more often and was disappointed not to this year, but thankfully the
championship organizers were able to see past the issues I encountered and were
quick to offer me the opportunity to return again next season. I know I have
the speed to win in this championship and I intend to repay the Talent Cup
organisers' faith with a determined challenge in 2019.”
Details of the second British Talent Cup campaign have yet
to be revealed, but the confirmation that Rhys Irwin will be on the grid means
he will once again be the only rider flying the Irish flag at MotoGP World
Championship events in 2019.
Rhys will continue to have the use of the MCI owned Honda
NSF250R for the 2019 BSB campaign
For more information on Rhys Irwin see www.irwinracing.ie.
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