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Superbikes: Tommy Bridewell says a problem with racetrack safety is one of the main reasons he is quitting British Superbikes for its Italian equivalent.

The 19-year-old from Etchilhampton will ride in the Italian Superbike series, which starts in April, and travelled to Italy for testing last week.

His older brother Ollie, 21, died when he came off his bike during practice for Round Nine at Mallory Park in July last year and Bridewell, who will ride for Team NB, says the tracks cannot cope with the bikes.

He said: "They are not designed for 210 horse power superbikes.

"They need to realise that and until they do they are always going to have accidents.

"The tracks abroad are just phenomenal. If you go to Magny Cours or Monza and come off the track you have a big run off.

"They are so safe. You have a great sense of safety, which means you can push yourself hard because, if you crash, you are not going to hit a metal barrier."

Bridewell, who will also race in the Suzuki GSX-R750 European Cup for Suzuki GB, believes a change will help his career immeasurably as he aims for a 2009 World Superbike ride.

He said: "I have taken a step sideways to go forward.

"A lot of younger riders feel they have to jump up straight away.

"The trouble is they don't realise if they have a bad year, they could end up at the bottom of the pile. This year I have taken that step sideways.

"Because the Italians are much more into motorsport, if I do well, I hope to go to World Superbikes in 2009.

"If I had stayed with the British I would probably still be there in 2009."

Bridewell added the standard will be higher and with an extra day's racing, from Thursday to Sunday, it will be more physically demanding.

He has spent most of the winter motocross riding and training in the gym to get himself fit and says he is ready to put his year of hell behind him.

"People think, after what happened last year, I would struggle," he said.

"It's annoying when you get set backs and you can't ride fast but now I can get out there with a clear head knowing I have got Ollie on the back helping me."

9:48am Thursday 20th March 2008

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