'I WANT to be BACK to BACK Champion!' - TOMMY BRIDEWELL

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

This episode was sponsored by Zerofit - King of Baselayers® - who have BSB riders Glenn Irwin, Lee Jackson and Andrew Irwin wearing their products for the 2024 season. Off Track Podcast listeners and viewers can now receive a FREE ZEROFIT THERMAL BEANIE worth £20 when they purchase any baselayer from www.zerofit.co.uk - use code OT24 when you’re checking out!

[@ChristianTiburtius]

A rider who is now at his peak, honestly I thought he would have more difficulty with the Honda but he's proved me wrong good and proper. Olli would be proud!

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Most of us did, myself included and I’m delighted to be proven wrong 😁

[@danielt8960]

I'm in no way a TB fan at all, BUT whether you like him or not you can't help but respect the man. Good bad or indifferent he tell's it like it is.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Nicely put, Daniel 🙌🏼

[@rayleather8005]

Brilliant, I love the way that after the tragedy with Ollie & his incredibly difficult early career in the aftermath of that he has found the strength to turn everything around & show hie undoubted talent, a great rider, proper bloke and I’m sure he has much more ability that we have not yet seen, rock on Tommy go get em

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

It’s definitely not been an easy road in any way shape or form, and it’s easy for people to forget that. Thanks so much, Ray 🙌🏼

[@SeanRidley-g7z]

Great podcast. I respect Tommy and his no bullshit attitude. I hope he wins the title again this season. He's been around a long time and put the hard work in. He's reaping the rewards now.

[@johnBtz]

Great conversation well steered by Dave. Love Tommy's open and honest personality.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Much appreciated, JB! Hope you’re doing as well as can be UTB ⚔️

[@iainbroughton3186]

First met Tommy when he was riding the Vivaldi Supersport Suzuki, followed him ever since, always great value when interviewed, No different this time, great podcast Dave, Jennifer and Ben

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Feels like he’s been around forever these days 😁 thanks for your kind words, Iain 🙏🏼

[@neiltitley2468]

Brilliant podcast Dave, Tommy being Tommy and good on him…..cheers to Ben for his input, asking questions that only a racer can, he’ll be missed. Wish them both well for the season 🥃

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Neil! Yeah there are certain questions and feelings I’ll NEVER have so it’s been great to have that input from Ben 🙏🏼

[@NodbodRS]

Brilliant that one, enjoy Tommy's passion in all things in general.

[@jaykkennedy63]

Can’t not love him on and off track! Guys a legend 🙏🏽

[@richardjohntierney5434]

Really enjoyed the interview, great video. thanks

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks Richard, absolutely our pleasure 🙏🏼

[@philmayhem]

Looking clean and mean, the self belief is absolute, and no one would doubt he can take the championship again, more determined than ever.

[@Coltwins]

Tommy is a PR nightmare/dream... he is Tommy and will never change, which for Joe public is fantastic, on a PR perpective absolutely frightening... I think Honda have had Joey and John both being the same and have learned that thats how us Brits are... Fantastic to see Tommy pushing the team and driving them forward. I believe that the team will be in for a shout at the title this year, fingers crossed Tommy will do the double...

[@Keeperlit_24]

Trust me he won’t win the championship this year

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Bold statement…

[@Coltwins]

@Bazza_5968 we will have to wait a few months to see who's statement is correct... Honda want and need to be back at the front, Tommy is bloody hungry for that 2nd title... I think there may have been some encouragement from HRC at Donnington, maybe a WSBK ride?, if Tommy wins...

[@shaunperry2024]

Another great chat with a larger than life character. You are the new Chris Carter at Redgate Lodge chat night, Dave. Keep up the great work.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

High praise, Shaun - thank you so much mate, that really means a lot 😊

[@crumblymal8479]

Guy's !!! what a bloody awesome interview been glued luv Tommy to bits what a star and worthy Champion , gotta see him in worlds one of these days and I reckon it will be on a Honda .What a shame Ben can't do anymore on the pod but with his other commitments it's completely understandable wish both ben and Tommy the absolute best for the rest of the season .Dave a stonking interview and I guess now it's go it alone time on the pod or is it Jen ?😉either or it's gonna be mega anyway cheers 👌👍More more !!

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

I can only echo your words, CM - when Ben’s had the opportunity to come on he’s been superb and I’ll miss his input, especially that rider’s eye view as that’s something I’ll never have. As for Jen, never say never… 😊 Huge thanks as always, CM 🙏🏼

[@Ian.Martin]

Great stuff Dave & Ben. Really insightful Tommy, thank you. 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Cheers, Ian 🙌🏼

[@JameseyB555]

Relatively new to your podcast Dave they are top drawer keep them coming👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Glad you’ve found us, Jamesey! Thanks for your kind words, mate 🙏🏼

[@NewDocs77]

Great podcast with Tommy , we need a P2 to it , Tommy seems like a great guy and personality , I’d love to spend a few days with him , I bet it would be a great Crack

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

There’ll be a part two after the end of the season, we’ve already had the invite down to Devizes 🙌🏼 to be fair there may be a quick catch up in between but time will tell on that one…

[@rodbuchanan2687]

Absolutely brilliant again 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks, Rod! :-)

[@therealslimshady4555]

Rock on Tommy your the best lad. I'm from Northern Ireland and I'm rooting for you mate. 😅 🚜 🚜 🚜

[@Mark-l1f3g]

I would love to see Tommy in MotoGP.......his hilarious personality would send the Grand Prix paddock into turmoil😂😂

[@timcole4608]

Proper. Just RACE. Thank you 😎🏍🏁⚡️

[@marksimpson4258]

Very good show again ❤

[@marksimpson4258]

Best British rider out there at the moment ❤

[@darkwulfofodinwulfpack]

Comedy Central as expected. Can see that’s a man out there to prove the doubters wrong 🙌🏻🐺🖤

[@Timmyd122zx6r]

Great interview

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Cheers Timmy, much appreciated mate ✊🏼

[@MichaelThwaites-p7g]

Great chat

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks, Michael 🙌🏼

[@kawi704racing]

I really don't know how I feel about him. He is an interesting guy, and I wish him the best...Great podcast.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Appreciate you watching and thanks for the kind comments 🙏🏼

[@MarkSiosal]

So nice to see Tommy doing so well. Such a character and i'm sure the Honda team will have a good time this year "off track" at least. Pun intended. I think they might struggle to get that last 5% over the whole season. Would love to be wrong though. That would be some achievement. Like Rossi doing his Honda➡️Yamaha miracle. In fact going from the Ducati to a Honda might be even more impressive. Such vastly different engines. Wishing everyone all the best.👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks for your kind words, Mark. The Honda project is not to be underestimated, especially not with the further involvement of HRC now. If Tommy keeps to his word as he did in Scotland he’ll be hard to beat and he leads the championship for a reason 👀 I hope you’re doing ok, Mark 🙏🏼

[@PaulEnglish-cq4ms]

At 7:50 sounds like Tommy just been on the helium!!!🤣🤣

[@gbfreightspotter8669]

What a legend. 👍

[@_andypat]

Another great one!

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks a lot Andy 🙌🏼

[@DeathsStalkerRVT]

Great podcast 😊 as always ❤

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thank you so very much, DS 🙏🏼😊

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

Came for the swearing, stayed for the boxing kangaroos.... 😂😂😂

[@medic_1]

Another great podcast mate

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Too kind and much appreciated 😊

[@1978JonBullock]

Tommy is just being real. Who really wants boring buggers.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

There are plenty of those about through the world of motorcycle racing - more characters are definitely needed in the sport 🙌🏼

[@switchhitterboxing2366]

Great interview Dave, as you know I've been waiting for this one for a while since you told me on FB it was coming. I love this guy so much, racing would be so dull without him on the grid, racing needs personalities, Tommy has that in abundance along with the incredible talent of racing motorbikes. What you see is what you get with him. Fingers cross for the championship this year. Hopefully see you at Snett on Sunday Dave

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

If he keeps to his word and the Honda continues to perform then he’s in with the best shout possible. As for Snett, we’re sadly not there this weekend mate, we’re on a Stag and Hen Do respectively 🙏🏼

[@chrisbowman4487]

Thanks

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Wow thank you so much, Chris 🙏🏼😊

[@MrChrissk]

I'm not that surprised, though I thought may take slightly longer get use to a inline four after four years on a vtwin ducati. The Honda in bsb spec has been a pretty good bike since 2020, Glen should of won title with it but him and Andy battle a bit too much and he made some costly errors. The Japanese lads that Glen looked after just never really gelled with the bsb circuits etc in my opinion. Andy was injured most of last year and just proves some times the only issue is not having the right rider on it. Tommy been doing bsb for so long now, he knows it and the people inside out. He's in his prime, maybe someone will give him a shot in worldsbk before it's to late, as we can see in wsbk older riders are still competitive so his older age should not work against him. He'd just need time to learn the circuits and the slight differences in wsbk spec bikes.

[@johnridley5507]

Great pod Tommys a nutter 😂😂😂

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks John 🙌🏼😁

[@andrewoverton5170]

If it hadn't been for the way Tommy made up a complete story about Glen, which was then called out by Glen when you interviewed him, I probably would have listened to this pod in a different way. But given what has gone on I now tend to turn on my bullshitometer when Tommy starts explaining things, and the needle flicked right into the red during this one. Let's break down some of the Honda-story-according-to-Tommy. So Paul Bird dies beginning of September 2023. Quite naturally his family are devastated and not only do they have to deal with this unexpected event emotionally but they also suddenly have a major family business and BSB team to take over. Paul was very much at the forefont of the BSB team. Tommy, being the considerate guy he is, gives them about 4 weeks before deciding bugger this, everything is a bit disorganised here, I'm going to go behind their backs and sign a deal for next year with Honda. Now I'm not blaming a professional rider for wanting to secure his future income but FFS give these people a little time to get to grips with the storm of shit suddenly enveloping them before deciding there's no future with the team and things aren't being run well. Sorry but on a personal level this does not reflect at all well on him. Unless the timescale is more BS and he had actually concluded a deal before Paul Bird died and this story is a smokescreen. Either way I think I'm beyond caring. Great rider but he's got some questionable behavioural issues being excused as 'honesty'. I still don't think we're getting the whole story and he's still digging.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Absolutely no idea where to start with this Andrew - easiest bit is to say thank you for taking the time to construct such a balanced and eloquent reply. There was plenty that went in between the two over the season and neither is whiter than white and in these circumstances neither view will stand up to the other’s. As for the signing for Honda, that’s the nature of the sport unfortunately, time doesn’t stand still. Paul’s passing was a sad loss to the sport and with all the merry-go round of last year it would’ve been easy to have been left without a ride, as Glenn so very nearly was. There are things that happened within the garage that will stay in the garage and while the fellas have been great and open with me, for which I’m hugely grateful, there is always more to the story from them both. There was clearly something more going on and maybe after the fall-out from Oulton Park, Tommy felt his position untenable anyway so made the decision pre-Donington. It may look harsh but the sport doesn’t stand still. I’m not trying to change your mind, I respect your view. And thanks again, Andrew 🙏🏼

[@philevans3507]

Was this before or after bens fight with a caravan step?

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Before 😁

[@andrewhull365]

Brilliant

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thank you Andrew, that means a lot 🙏🏼

[@davidwithers1748]

What happened at 20 mins Dave?! 😜

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Nothing to see, David, just a glitch in the editing… 😇

[@davidwithers1748]

@@OffTrack_Podcast Exactly what I thought. 😁

[@abellopes15]

@@OffTrack_Podcast 😂😂😂

[@PDCRed]

Great interview. Not sure of the need for f*** in every other sentence though. Not sure Honda would condone it.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Appreciate your kind words 😊 Tommy is who he is and he won’t change and for me with my Superbike PR hat on neither should he because like Scott, DT, and others, you get the best out of them when they can be themselves. Honda are well aware of the content (they checked over the audio before I edited it) and approved it. Understand how you feel, it doesn’t suit everyone but grateful for you watching 🙏🏼

[@brianbowers-x9q]

I totally agree there's a time and place for swearing. It's only a lack of vocabulary. Yes I swear BUT not in public or if women are present.

[@switchhitterboxing2366]

He swears but he's not rude or bad mannered in fact as a man he is the opposite, he's a lovely fella with nothing but manners and respect for those that treat him in the same way. We're all different

[@randlcars4582]

Hes so funny

[@ast6537]

A rider with morals....would have stayed with PBM After PB's passing because of he's commitment to you....but no you went chasing Honda....I've always followed you, but you've gone down in my estimations now!!!

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

That’s what you took from the full 75 minute show? That’s a shame

[@andrewtrimble1095]

Tommy rules, but how about MARK CAVENDISH 🎉, age is just a number. Yahoo

[@Michelle-oj2yq]

Tommy and michael both members of a club neither want to be part of. Losing a sibling 💔