Wiltshire rider Tommy Bridewell said that he believes he has achieved “every rider’s dream” as the British Superbike champion has announced a move to Honda for 2024.

Bridewell, who is from Etchilhampton near Devizes, won his first championship last season by 0.5 points after making a final lap overtake at Brands Hatch to hold onto his lead over title rival and BeerMonster Ducati teammate Glenn Irwin.

However, the 35-year-old has chosen to move on from the team with which he won his first championship and has announced a move to Honda Racing UK for the 2024 season.

Bridewell will be racing on the new 2024 Fireblade, which will bear his number one plate for having won the series, as he hopes to claim back-to-back titles and doing so would make him the first rider to ever win consecutive titles with different manufacturers.

 

 

He said: “I am so excited to join such a prestigious brand, it is every rider's dream to ride for Honda at some point and to bring with me the number one plate is just fantastic.

“The timing feels right, I have achieved my championship goals and now I am entirely focused on defending the title. I am coming here to Honda to do just that, to win another championship.

“I have always made my decisions on instinct, and I always follow my gut, the opportunity here at Honda is something that I have always wanted to do and it was an easy decision to make.

“I’ve chosen to come to Honda as I feel this is the best team to help me defend my championship.”

Bridewell will begin work to defend his crown as pre-season preparations kick-off in the new year ahead of the first round of the season at Circuito de Navarra in Los Arcos, Spain in April.

Team Manager Havier Beltran said of adding the reigning champion: “Tommy is an enormously exciting rider and I am delighted to welcome him to Honda Racing UK.

“His achievements in the 2023 season showcased his exceptional talent and I firmly believe that his addition to our team will contribute significantly to our pursuit of success.

“I am certainly not alone in saying that I cannot wait to see what he is capable of achieving on our new Fireblade.

“Our target in 2024 is clear, we are going racing to win and to fight for the title.”