Ducati rider takes Race 1 victory as Thruxton delivers another dramatic finish
Kyle Ryde claimed victory in a dramatic opening race of the seventh round of the 2026 British Superbike Championship at Thruxton, with the race brought to an early conclusion by a red flag on Lap 17.
The Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Ducati rider was leading when the race was stopped following a heavy crash involving Max Cook on the pit straight. With the required race distance completed, Ryde was declared the winner, securing another important victory in his championship campaign.
The result also ended Yamaha’s remarkable winning run at Thruxton. The Japanese manufacturer had taken every BSB victory at the Hampshire circuit since 2019, but Ryde’s Ducati finally brought that sequence to an end.
It was also a landmark result for Ryde, who celebrated his 80th BSB podium.
Behind him, Rory Skinner and Ryan Vickers completed the podium, with both riders securing their first rostrum finishes of the 2026 season.
Ryde Makes His Move on Redding
Pole-sitter waits until Lap 12 before launching his attack
Ryde started the opening race from pole position following his record-breaking qualifying performance, but it was Scott Redding who initially controlled the pace at the front.
The Hager PBM Ducati rider made an aggressive start and quickly established a gap over the chasing field.
At one stage, Redding’s advantage stretched beyond one second as he attempted to break clear before the opposition could settle into a rhythm.
Ryde, however, was not allowing the race to disappear from his grasp.
The Ducati rider gradually closed the deficit and began putting pressure on Redding as the race approached its second half.
The decisive move eventually arrived on Lap 12 at Church.
Ryde made his move on Redding, but the battle was far from finished. The pair continued to exchange positions over the following corners, with neither rider willing to surrender the advantage.
The intense fight also placed significant demands on their tyres, something that would become increasingly important during the closing stages.
Redding’s Early Advantage Comes at a Cost
Ducati rider fades after using his tyres to establish the initial lead
Redding’s opening spell at the front had been impressive, but the pace required to create the early advantage appeared to come at a price.
As the race progressed, the Hager PBM Ducati rider began to lose ground.
That allowed the chasing riders to close in, with Skinner and Vickers joining the fight at the sharp end of the field.
Redding eventually slipped backwards as his rivals found more pace in the later stages.
Despite losing the lead, his early performance ensured he remained in contention for a strong result, although the former WorldSBK star ultimately had to settle for fifth.
Skinner Seizes Second as Yamaha Returns to the Podium
Cheshire Mouldings rider fights his way into runner-up position
Rory Skinner produced a superb ride to claim second place and become the best-placed Yamaha rider.
The Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha rider refused to let the battle for the podium slip away and remained firmly involved as Redding’s pace faded.
Vickers had moved as high as second on Lap 13, but Skinner continued to fight for the position and eventually became the first rider to get ahead of Redding.
When the red flag appeared, Skinner was sitting second, just 0.644 seconds behind Ryde.
The result marked Skinner’s first podium of the 2026 season and provided a major boost for the Yamaha team after Ryde’s Ducati had ended the manufacturer’s long winning streak at Thruxton.
Vickers Completes the Podium
Honda rider secures first rostrum of 2026
Ryan Vickers completed the top three to secure his first BSB podium of the campaign.
The Honda Racing UK rider had started strongly and was able to remain involved in the battle for the leading positions despite the pace of the Ducatis and Yamahas around him.
Vickers briefly moved into second on Lap 13 before Skinner reclaimed the position.
When the race was stopped, Vickers was third and the leading Honda rider.
The result represents an important step forward for both Vickers and Honda Racing UK, particularly at a circuit where tyre management and outright speed are crucial.
Bradley Ray Sets the Fastest Lap
McAMS Yamaha rider recovers to fourth and takes Sprint pole
Bradley Ray had the pace to fight for the podium but ultimately finished fourth for McAMS Yamaha.
The former BSB champion was particularly strong in the later stages and set the fastest lap of the race.
That result carries an additional reward, with Ray securing pole position for Sunday’s Sprint race.
Ray had already shown strong speed throughout the weekend, and his fastest lap demonstrated that he had the pace to challenge at the front despite not converting it into a podium finish.
He had also recently passed Redding before the race was stopped, leaving him classified fourth.
Redding Forced to Settle for Fifth
Early leader loses ground as the race develops
After controlling the opening stages, Redding eventually crossed the line in fifth place.
The Hager PBM Ducati rider had pushed hard to establish his initial advantage and appeared to be attempting to create enough of a gap to escape the leading group.
However, the effort appeared to affect his tyre performance as the race progressed.
Once Ryde made his move, Redding struggled to maintain the same pace and was gradually caught by Skinner, Vickers and Ray.
Nevertheless, fifth place provides valuable championship points and confirms that the Hager PBM Ducati remains competitive at Thruxton.
Max Cook’s Race Ends in Heavy Crash
Bimota rider crashes on the pit straight during the battle for sixth
One of the biggest talking points of the race came shortly before the red flag.
Max Cook had started from the front row but dropped back early in the race before beginning to recover positions.
The AJN Steelstock Bimota rider was fighting his way back through the field and found himself battling Leon Haslam through the final corners.
As Cook attempted to make the move, he clipped the rear of Haslam’s Moto Rapido Ducati.
The contact launched Cook into the air and sent him towards the barrier as the riders approached the pit straight.
Cook’s bike was not involved in a further collision and initial reports confirmed that he was conscious and talking to medical personnel before being taken to the medical centre for assessment.
Haslam was able to continue, with his Ducati remaining upright despite the contact.
The incident ultimately triggered the red-flag stoppage that brought the race to an early conclusion.
*Update below
Haslam Escapes the Incident to Finish Sixth
Moto Rapido Ducati rider avoids further drama
Despite being involved in the incident with Cook, Leon Haslam was able to continue and bring his Ducati home in sixth.
The former British Superbike champion had been involved in a close battle through the final corners when the contact occurred.
Haslam managed to keep the motorcycle upright and continue, eventually being classified ahead of Christian Iddon.
It was another solid points finish for the Moto Rapido rider after he had shown strong pace during qualifying.
Iddon and Kent Fight Inside the Top Eight
Yamaha riders benefit from late-race battles
Christian Iddon finished seventh for Sencat Yamaha after avoiding the chaos that unfolded immediately ahead.
Iddon had been close enough to witness the incident involving Cook and Haslam but managed to avoid becoming involved.
Danny Kent followed in eighth for Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.
Kent arrived at Thruxton with a strong record at the circuit, having taken two victories at the Hampshire venue last season, and although he was unable to repeat that feat in Race 1, eighth place provides a useful haul of points.
With the Sprint still to come, Kent will have another opportunity to improve his position across the weekend.
Talbot Leads the Rookie Battle
Bimota rider completes the top nine
Joe Talbot was the leading rookie in Race 1, bringing the sole remaining Bimota home in ninth.
The result capped a strong recovery for Talbot after the rookie had shown impressive pace during Friday’s practice sessions.
With Max Cook forced out following his crash, Talbot became the only Bimota rider classified at the front of the field.
His ninth-place finish provides further evidence of his progress during his debut BSB campaign.
Stacey Takes Tenth as Race Ends Under Red Flag
Bathams AJN rider classified a lap down
Storm Stacey was classified tenth for Bathams AJN Ducati.
However, the race stoppage created a significant difference in the classification, with Stacey and the riders behind him being declared a lap down when the red flag was shown.
The result nevertheless places Stacey inside the points-paying positions and gives his team something to build on for the remainder of the weekend.
Jackson and McManus Fight Through the Field
McManus produces one of the strongest recoveries of the race
Lee Jackson finished 11th for DAO Racing, continuing his consistent weekend after making direct progress into Q2 during Friday’s action.
Behind him, Eugene McManus produced an impressive recovery ride for MasterMac Honda.
Starting from 20th on the grid, McManus worked his way forward throughout the race to finish 12th.
The result earned valuable championship points and represented one of the strongest recovery drives of the opening BSB race.
Rogers Makes Late Charge from 21st
TAG Honda rider fights into the points
Fraser Rogers also produced an impressive comeback.
Starting 21st on the grid, the TAG Honda rider steadily moved forward and eventually finished 13th.
Rogers’ progress ensured he scored points despite beginning the race deep in the field.
It was another example of how quickly positions can change around Thruxton, particularly when riders can find a rhythm and take advantage of battles ahead.
O’Halloran Recovers from Difficult Start
Honda Racing UK rider salvages 14th
Jason O’Halloran endured a difficult opening lap after starting 11th but was able to recover several positions before the red flag.
The Honda Racing UK rider was eventually classified 14th.
Although the result will be disappointing compared with his starting position, O’Halloran can take some positives from his recovery after losing ground at the beginning of the race.
Nesbitt Takes the Final Point
Second TAG Honda completes the top 15
Charlie Nesbitt completed the top 15 aboard the second TAG Honda.
The result ensured he collected the final championship point available from Race 1.
With the Sprint and remaining races still to come, Nesbitt will be looking to use the additional track time to move further up the order.
British Superbikes Thruxton Race 1 Results
- Kyle Ryde – Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Ducati
- Rory Skinner – Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha
- Ryan Vickers – Honda Racing UK
- Bradley Ray – McAMS Yamaha
- Scott Redding – Hager PBM Ducati
- Leon Haslam – Moto Rapido Ducati
- Christian Iddon – Sencat Yamaha
- Danny Kent – Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha
- Joe Talbot – AJN Steelstock Bimota
- Storm Stacey – Bathams AJN Ducati
- Lee Jackson – DAO Racing
- Eugene McManus – MasterMac Honda
- Fraser Rogers – TAG Honda
- Jason O’Halloran – Honda Racing UK
- Charlie Nesbitt – TAG Honda
Ryde Ends Yamaha’s Thruxton Winning Streak
Kyle Ryde’s victory carries significance beyond the championship points.
Yamaha had dominated the BSB round at Thruxton since 2019, taking every victory at the circuit during that period.
Ryde’s success therefore marks a major change in the competitive picture at one of Britain’s fastest motorcycle racing venues.
The Ducati rider’s record-breaking pace in practice had already suggested that the manufacturer was capable of challenging at the front.
Race 1 confirmed it.
Ryde was able to withstand Redding’s early attack, manage the pressure from Skinner and Vickers and remain ahead when the race was stopped.
For Ducati, it was the manufacturer’s first BSB victory at Thruxton since Josh Brookes won there in 2019, bringing an end to Yamaha’s lengthy run of success.
Ryde Takes Momentum Into the Sprint
The opening race has given Ryde another important victory and further momentum in the 2026 championship.
However, there is little time to celebrate.
Bradley Ray’s fastest lap means the McAMS Yamaha rider will start the Sprint from pole, while Skinner, Vickers and the rest of the leading group will be looking for another opportunity to challenge Ryde.
The red-flag finish also means the riders will return to Thruxton with plenty still unresolved.
Ryde has the race win.
Ray has Sprint pole.
Skinner and Vickers have their first podiums of the season.
And with the leading Ducatis, Yamahas, Hondas and Bimotas all showing competitive pace, the second day of racing at Thruxton promises another intense battle at one of the fastest circuits on the British Superbike calendar.
* At the time of writing we know this much about Max Cook
Reported by MSVR
Following an incident during the British Superbike race at Thruxton, Max Cook crashed exiting Turn 14 following contact with another rider. The race was immediately red flagged. Max was attended to at the scene by the BSB Medical Team.
Max experienced a brief period of unconsciousness following the incident and, was transferred to the Circuit Medical Centre for further evaluation.
Following further assessment by the BSB Medical Team, Max was transferred to Southampton hospital for definitive investigation and specialist review.
We wish Max well and will provide further information regarding his condition when appropriate.
