Tommy Bridewell beat Glenn Irwin to the British Superbike title by just 0.5 points in a thrilling final race at Brands Hatch.

The lead of the race and the championship changed hands nine times as Bridewell, Irwin and Kyle Ryde battled it out for victory.

Bridewell needed to finish second as Irwin led onto the final lap.

He made an overtake stick on Ryde at Druids to win the championship by the smallest of margins.

There were emotional celebrations as Bridewell, 35, dedicated his title to his late brother Ollie, who died in an accident in 2007, and the late PBM Ducati team owner Paul Bird, who passed away in September.

Irwin and Bridewell have had a heated season as the team-mates battled it out for the championship but the pair embraced after the chequered flag and set their differences aside after their last-lap battle.

"I'm getting a lump in my throat now. I've rehearsed this for a brave few years, I can tell you that," Bridewell said on Eurosport.

"Firstly, I want to say thank you to Glenn. He brought the worst and the best out of me this year. I absolutely think he is an unbelievable rider.

"I want to say this is for my brother. Everything I do in my life, I promised him I would become British champion. My life is complete. Whatever happens for me now, I'm complete.

"We also want to dedicate this to our loved boss [Paul Bird], who we lost this year. He took a risk on me. I told him I would give him everything I had got."

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