Rookie Tommy Bridewell (Ducati) knows full well: he doesn’t have many years left

Tommy Bridewell has special circumstances to thank for his chance to compete in the 2026 Superbike World Championship. His Ducati team, Advocates Racing, had actually signed the 37-year-old for the British series. The switch to the World Championship was made on the spur of the moment following the first test sessions.

Seven of the twelve rounds have now been completed, and Bridewell has established himself as a reliable top-15 rider. Of his four single-digit finishes so far, fifth place in the first race at Aragon is his best result to date. This shows that the World Championship rookie can keep up with the best customer riders.

“The factory riders certainly have a bit of an edge on us, but it’s not just the technical side: they simply ride exceptionally well. When I look at Nicolò’s data, I see phenomenal things, and Iker is also doing an excellent job on the bike,” Bridewell emphasised in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. “But at Most, I did at least beat Sam Lowes in the second race, who finished third at Aragon – though it was only my second time at Aragon. It’s clear that I have weaknesses in some areas. Perhaps Donington will be an advantage for me again.”

Bridewell is getting on in years as a racing rider and is the second-oldest rider after Álvaro Bautista. “It’s no secret that I’m one of the older riders, and that makes me a bit sad at times. I simply don’t have that many years left in which I can maintain my fitness and mental strength at this level,” lamented the Ducati rider. “Of course, I’ll try to hold my own in this paddock for as long as possible. If you’d asked me about my goals before, I’d probably have said ‘not to finish last’ – but in Aragon I came fifth, what a step forward. As a team, we’re doing a truly outstanding job. Even Marco Zambenedetti from Ducati came over to congratulate us. Whenever I think about it, I can’t help but smile, because it’s brilliant.

By the end of the season, Bridewell hopes to catch up with his Ducati teammates Sam Lowes, Yari Montella and Lorenzo Baldassarri. “My wish and goal is to become the best independent rider – in one race or several. If we manage that, it means we’ll have the podium in our sights, just like Sam. I don’t think we’re that far off now,” the Englishman is convinced.