Glenn Irwin will join brother Andrew in Honda’s Bennetts British Superbike team next year in a deal that seems to run along a theme in the Minato factory.

Andrew remains with the team for a second consecutive season, following a strong performance in 2019 which saw the 25-year-old secure his first Bennetts BSB race win at Thruxton and complete the year in eighth place after just missing out on a Showdown spot.

Glenn will make his debut for the Louth outfit and both will campaign the new CBR1000RR-SP Fireblade over the course of 12 rounds in 2020.

“Reflecting back on 2019, I think it was a really positive year. There were some negatives and a few things to learn from, but I know the areas I need to work on, and I really think for 2020 I can be a real Showdown fighter,” said Andrew.

“Having Glenn as my teammate will be a really good thing, he’s a best friend as much as he is my brother and I think it’s good to have a strong teammate – the first rule of racing is to beat your teammate and of course, I will want to do that!

I’m looking forward to it and think it will be a good atmosphere and we’ll work well together. Signing for Honda again was easy as I knew what I wanted and for me there wasn’t another option, I know everyone in the team and believe in the people around me. I’d like to thank Harv and Honda Racing for the opportunity and hopefully I can repay them.”

Glenn added: “I guess it’s natural to be excited to join Honda, but I really am! I got a taste for the team at the end of this season with Andrew and got to see the structure and the atmosphere in the garage, it’s an experienced team and to be associated with a brand like Honda, is a dream come true.

“I’ve had Andrew as a teammate before, but this time it’s different as I guess I am the new guy! We are best friends and I think this is key as we’ll work together, share information and we won’t keep anything from each other, which is important as our task is to develop the new Fireblade.”