March 19, 2008 - Kenny Pryde

Irishman Grant Malloy and Brit Tommy Bridewell will be riding the 2008 GSX-R Cup in Suzuki GB colours this season ... Scroll down for the full story

Suzuki GB has announced the two permanent riders that will be riding for the UK in this season's GSX-R European Cup. Tommy Bridewell from Devizes in Wiltshire will team up with Eniskillen's Grant Molloy.

Bridewell, 19, joins Team Suzuki GB after contesting last season's British Superbike Championship, before which he rode a Suzuki in British Supersport. He will also ride a Suzuki GSX-R1000 in this year's Italian Superbike championship and contested four rounds of the GSX-R Cup in 2006, finishing on the podium at Silverstone.

Grant Molloy is a relatively latecomer to motorcycle racing, having been a promising young footballer sought by at least two Premiership teams. The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland had his first race at Mondello Park in Ireland in 2006 and, last year, competed in the Virgin R6 Cup.

This year's GSX-R European Cup will be run over six rounds, all of which support selected World Superbike championship events.
“I can't wait for the first round,” said Bridewell, following a shakedown test at Guadix in Spain last week. “It's a brilliant format on a fantastic bike and the races I did in 2006 were great fun.”

Molloy is thrilled at his opportunity and has been training hard throughout the winter. “I've done a few race schools and had a lot of help from Jeremy McWilliams at Racedays events last year, which has been great,” he said. “I know I've still got a lot to learn."
We met Malloy at Almeria on a Racedays event and it's fair to say that the youngster raised eyebrows – in a good way – with McWilliams in particular convinced that he's got a chunk of talent.

This season's championship kicks off at Valencia, Spain on 6 April and consists of two qualifying sessions followed by a Sunday race, which takes place between the World Supersport and second World Superbike races.

2008 Suzuki GSX-R European Cup calendar

6 Apr Valencia, Spain
11 May Monza, Italy
15 Jun Nurburgring, Germany
29 Jun Misano, Italy
7 Sep Donington Park, UK
5 Oct Magny-Cours, France