BSB leader Bridewell unsure of Ducati strength at Knockhill

Tommy Bridewell admits he doesn’t know what to expect from his Ducati when round five of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicks off in Knockhill this weekend.

Though Bridewell is yet to top the BSB podium this season, he currently leads the standings by 14 points courtesy of six podiums in nine races.

Moreover, the sister V4 R Panigales of Be Wiser PBM duo Josh Brookes and Scott Redding have been responsible for seven victories, ensuring a Ducati 1-2-3 in the overall standings.

Nonetheless, Oxford Racing Moto Rapido's Bridewell admits he is can’t be sure how the machine perform at Knockhill, the short, undulating venue demanding a particular machine set-up.

“I didn’t expect to be leading the championship going to Knockhill, but it has been so positive so far this season and we have been up there fighting for podiums and wins. I thought the new bike would be strong but we are where we are because we have been consistent and that makes the difference.

“If I am honest, I feel a bit unsure about Knockhill and how the Ducati will be there; ultimately every circuit we have been to so far have had different characteristics, but we haven’t ridden the bike on such a short, intense circuit yet.

“Every round so far we have gone to feeling confident of fighting for wins but we will have to see what the Ducati goes like there. From the past, Kawasaki have been really strong there, and our bikes are very different, so I think qualifying will play a massive part because it is that kind of circuit.

“We have been so close but never quite close enough to the win so far! It’s always about winning; at Brands Hatch I was giving it everything. It certainly isn’t through the lack of trying that we haven’t won one yet this year!

“It’s the podium points that matter and so I have to be finishing in the top three every race. Anything outside of that is almost irrelevant because they will be what is important in the Showdown. So if I am say in fourth on the final lap you can bet that I will be going for third that’s for sure!”