A Triumphant Return for the 2022 Champion
Bradley Ray made a resounding statement on his return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, dominating Race One at Oulton Park in commanding fashion. After two seasons away from the BSB paddock, the 2022 champion picked up right where he left off—on the top step of the podium.
From the drop of the lights, Ray was in a league of his own. Making a lightning start, he immediately stamped his authority on the race and never looked back. It marked his first victory since Donington Park in 2022, and a powerful reminder of the talent that made him champion just two years ago.
Glenn Irwin Battles Back to Second
While Ray led from the front, Glenn Irwin provided one of the standout performances of the day. After a tough qualifying session that saw him start from 15th on the grid, Irwin put in a gritty, determined ride to carve his way through the pack. His charge culminated in a superb second-place finish, earning valuable points and showcasing his relentless race craft.
Haslam Back on the Podium
Leon Haslam made a welcome return to the British Superbike podium with a measured ride to third place. Competing aboard the Moto Rapido Ducati, Haslam showed flashes of the form that made him a championship contender in years past. It was a confident and composed performance from the veteran, underlining his ongoing competitiveness in the series.
Storm Stacey Impresses on Bathams BMW Debut
Another rider who turned heads at Oulton Park was Storm Stacey. Making his debut with the Bathams AJN Racing BMW team, the young rider delivered one of the most composed rides of his career. In a thrilling battle, Stacey managed to fend off reigning champion Kyle Ryde to secure a hard-earned fourth-place finish—his best result to date and a promising sign of things to come.
Kyle Ryde Left Playing Catch-Up
Defending champion Kyle Ryde had a quiet start to his title defense. Despite expectations, Ryde was unable to match the front-running pace and had to settle for fifth place aboard the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha. It wasn’t the result he would have hoped for, but with two more races in the weekend, there’s still time to regroup.
Honda Riders Fill the Midfield
Honda Racing UK’s Tommy Bridewell was the top finisher for the manufacturer, crossing the line in sixth. He was closely pursued by Charlie Nesbitt on the MasterMac Honda, who took seventh in a tight midfield scrap. Both riders looked competitive throughout the race but lacked that final spark to challenge the front-runners.
DAO Racing Duo Stick Together
DAO Racing Honda teammates Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes once again found themselves locked together on track, mirroring each other’s pace from start to finish. Jackson edged his teammate to take eighth, while Brookes followed him home in ninth. It was a consistent showing for the pair as they continue to fine-tune their race package.
Tyre Troubles for Danny Kent
Rounding out the top ten was 2015 Moto3 World Champion Danny Kent. The McAMS Yamaha rider made a strong start, but his pace faded in the second half of the race—likely due to tyre issues. As he slipped back through the field, Kent did just enough to hold on to tenth and salvage points from a challenging opening round.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 1 result:
1. Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha)
2. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +1.937s
3. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +2.031s
4. Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing BMW) +4.888s
5. Kyle Ryde (OMG Nitrous Competitions Yamaha) +5.021s
6. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +10.193s
7. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +10.210s
8. Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) +10.374s
9. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +10.981s
10. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +12.585s
