‘If we can lead at Lisboa bend on the first lap ...’ – Glenn Irwin feeling good for Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
Northern Irish star says he is ‘in the right frame of mind’ after last year’s debut appearance when his bike failed
Northern Ireland rider Glenn Irwin has smashed the Guia circuit record on the way to securing pole position for Saturday’s Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old was up at the crack of dawn for final qualifying and as Macau rose from its slumber Irwin was already flying around the streets powered by the sheer force of his own will. He clocked a time of two minutes, 23.081 seconds, on his Tak Chun Racing by PBM/Penz13 Ducati, to break the mark of 2:23.616 set in the Grand Prix of 2010 by Stuart Easton.
Last year – on debut – Irwin’s chances were ruined by fuel problems in the big race after he’d flown in the practice and qualifying sessions, making a mockery of the commonly held belief that it takes at least three cracks at Macau before a rider settles into the groove.
“Coming to Macau this year, there is only one thing on my mind – winning,” said Irwin.
“It was weird when I broke down in last year’s race because of how dangerous road racing is. You’re annoyed but it’s not the end of the world because you’re also going home in one piece. I’ve got a family and that means the most to me.