Honda Racing UK rider produces stunning weekend to claim both the Sprint and Feature Race victories at Thruxton
Ryan Vickers produced one of the standout performances of the 2026 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season by completing a remarkable double at Thruxton, taking victory in both the Sprint and the final feature race of the seventh round.
The Honda Racing UK rider delivered two superb late-race performances to claim his first BSB wins of the season, ending a long wait for Honda and putting himself firmly back among the championship contenders.
Vickers’ first victory came in Saturday’s 12-lap Sprint, where he timed his move to perfection and edged Scott Redding and Bradley Ray in a thrilling three-way battle.
He then repeated the achievement in the final race of the weekend, holding off Ray by just 0.075 seconds after another tense fight that went right down to the chequered flag.
The double victory was a major breakthrough for Vickers, who had not stood on the BSB podium at Thruxton since 2024 and had spent the previous season competing in the World Superbike paddock.
For Honda Racing UK, meanwhile, it marked a significant return to the top step of the British Superbike podium.
Vickers Ends Honda’s Long Wait for Victory
Race 2 victory delivers Honda’s first BSB win for almost a year
Vickers entered the Thruxton Sprint already carrying confidence from his podium in Race 1.
Starting fifth on the grid, the Honda Racing UK rider immediately positioned himself within striking distance of the leading group while Scott Redding, Kyle Ryde, Bradley Ray and Leon Haslam traded places at the front.
The frantic battle eventually created the opportunity Vickers had been waiting for.
When Haslam ran wide, Ray was forced to follow him, allowing Vickers to move through the chaos and climb to third.
From there, the Honda rider continued his charge.
Vickers moved into second before setting up his decisive attack on the penultimate lap.
The number seven Honda was perfectly placed approaching the Club chicane and launched his move up the inside.
Once ahead, Vickers refused to surrender the position.
He defended throughout the final lap and crossed the line just 0.266 seconds ahead of Redding.
It was a superbly judged victory and one that had been a long time coming for Honda Racing UK.
The manufacturer had last celebrated a BSB victory when Tommy Bridewell stood on the top step at Cadwell Park during the 2025 season.
Vickers finally ended that drought at one of Britain’s fastest circuits.
Redding Settles for Second as Ray Recovers
Three manufacturers feature on the Sprint podium
Scott Redding had once again been one of the riders to beat at Thruxton.
The Hager PBM Ducati rider took the lead early in the Sprint and appeared capable of controlling the race, but the constant battles around him made it difficult to execute his preferred strategy.
Redding eventually recovered to second on the final lap after passing Kyle Ryde, securing valuable points.
Bradley Ray had an even more eventful race.
Starting from pole, the McAMS Yamaha rider initially found himself at the front before being caught up in the incident involving Haslam.
When Haslam ran wide on Lap 8, Ray was forced onto the green and lost considerable momentum, dropping as low as eighth.
The Yamaha rider responded brilliantly.
Ray fought his way back through the field, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.
His final move came on Ryde as the riders exited the final corner, allowing Ray to finish third and complete a podium featuring three different manufacturers.
Ryde Misses the Sprint Podium
Championship leader finishes fourth after 20-race podium run ends
Kyle Ryde was unable to add another podium to his impressive Thruxton weekend in the Sprint.
The reigning champion finished fourth for Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Ducati, with teammate Leon Haslam following in fifth.
For Ryde, the fourth-place finish brought an end to a remarkable run of 20 consecutive races with a podium finish.
Despite missing out on the rostrum, Ryde still maintained his championship advantage heading into the final race of the weekend.
Rory Skinner finished sixth after almost bridging the gap to the riders ahead, while Danny Kent was seventh on the second Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.
Joe Talbot was once again the leading rookie in eighth, finishing as the sole remaining AJN Steelstock Bimota after Max Cook’s Race 1 crash.
O’Halloran Produces Major Recovery
Honda rider climbs seven positions to ninth
Jason O’Halloran was another rider to make significant progress during the Sprint.
Starting outside the leading group, the Honda Racing UK rider worked his way forward and had reached ninth by Lap 5.
Although his progress eventually stalled, O’Halloran held onto the position until the chequered flag.
Charlie Nesbitt completed the top ten for TAG Honda.
Further down the order, Glenn Irwin moved from 15th to 11th, while Josh Brookes produced an impressive recovery from 20th on the grid to finish 12th for DAO Racing.
Ilya Mikhalchik was classified 13th after receiving a two-second penalty for cutting the course.
Fraser Rogers and Lee Jackson completed the points-paying positions.
Final Race: Vickers Does It All Over Again
Honda rider produces another last-lap masterclass
If Vickers’ Sprint victory was impressive, his performance in the final race was arguably even better.
The feature race developed into another intense battle involving the leading Yamaha, Ducati and Honda riders.
Rory Skinner and Danny Kent initially controlled the race for Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha, with Bradley Ray also firmly involved at the front.
Vickers started fourth and remained within the leading group before making his first move to the front on Lap 5.
His advantage was short-lived, however.
Skinner soon reclaimed the lead and remained at the head of the field for much of the race.
Ray then moved to the front as the riders continued to trade positions.
Vickers remained firmly in contention despite suffering an unusual problem when he lost his knee slider at Church.
Rather than slowing him down, the incident appeared to do little to affect the Honda rider’s determination.
Vickers Makes the Decisive Move
Huge final-sector attack wins the race
As the race entered its closing stages, Skinner was back in front and appeared to have positioned himself perfectly for victory.
Vickers had other ideas.
On the penultimate lap, the Honda rider closed rapidly and launched a committed move in the final sector.
The number seven Honda went up the inside, took control of the race and emerged from the chicane in front.
From there, Vickers produced a superb defensive final lap.
Ray was desperate to find a way through and remained within striking distance all the way to the finish.
The Yamaha rider launched one final attempt, but Vickers shut the door and held his line.
The Honda crossed the finish line just 0.075 seconds ahead of Ray.
Two races.
Two victories.
And a BSB double for Ryan Vickers.
Ray Falls Just Short Again
McAMS Yamaha rider finishes second after another strong fight
Bradley Ray had been one of the fastest riders throughout the weekend and once again came agonisingly close to victory.
The McAMS Yamaha rider finished only 0.075 seconds behind Vickers, narrowly missing out on a second win of the weekend.
Ray had also set the fastest lap during the Sprint, underlining the pace he possessed around Thruxton.
His second-place finish nevertheless gave him another important haul of championship points and confirmed his status as one of the strongest riders at the circuit.
Ryde Returns to the Podium
Championship leader salvages third despite underpowered Ducati
Kyle Ryde recovered from his Sprint disappointment to return to the podium in the final race.
The reigning champion revealed after the race that he had received permission from race direction to run a de-tuned Superstock engine during the Thruxton weekend.
That decision left the Ducati short of power on the circuit’s long straights, placing additional emphasis on Ryde’s ability to make up time through the corners.
Despite the disadvantage, Ryde spent much of the race moving between second and fourth before eventually securing third.
The result was particularly valuable from a championship perspective.
With closest rival Scott Redding failing to finish, Ryde was able to extend his advantage considerably.
Haslam Keeps Ducati in the Fight
Fastest lap helps Moto Rapido rider secure fourth
Leon Haslam remained close to the leading battle throughout the final race.
The Moto Rapido Ducati rider set the fastest lap of the race and used that pace to remain within touching distance of the leading trio.
Haslam ultimately finished fourth, ahead of Skinner and Kent.
For Ducati, the result meant another strong points haul despite the contrasting fortunes of its leading riders.
Skinner Fades After Strong Opening
Cheshire Mouldings rider finishes fifth
Rory Skinner had done much of the early work at the front of the final race but eventually lost ground as the contest entered its closing stages.
The Yamaha rider crossed the line fifth, just over a second behind Vickers.
Skinner’s pace remained strong, but the intense battle at the front had taken its toll and allowed the riders behind to close in.
His teammate Danny Kent followed in sixth.
Nesbitt Claims First Top 10 of the Season
TAG Honda rider makes impressive progress from 12th
Charlie Nesbitt produced one of his strongest rides of the season.
Starting 12th, the TAG Honda rider steadily worked his way forward and eventually secured seventh place.
The result marked his first top-ten finish of the 2026 season and provided a welcome boost for both rider and team.
Christian Iddon finished eighth for Sencat Yamaha after briefly running as high as fifth before being pushed wide.
Brookes Continues Impressive Recovery
Australian charges from the back to ninth
Josh Brookes continued his fightback in the final race.
The DAO Racing rider had endured a difficult qualifying weekend and started deep in the field, but once again showed his experience by working his way through the pack.
Brookes initially dropped outside the points but battled back against Fraser Rogers before continuing to pick off riders ahead.
He eventually finished ninth.
Eugene McManus completed the top ten for MasterMac Honda, recording only his second top-ten finish of the season.
McManus was also the leading rookie finisher in the final race.
O’Halloran’s Race Ends in Dramatic Fashion
Late collision brings Honda rider’s race to an end
Jason O’Halloran had been running inside the points when his race ended in dramatic circumstances.
The Honda Racing UK rider made contact with Christian Iddon late in the race, sending the Honda across the circuit.
Riders behind were forced to take evasive action through the chicane as O’Halloran’s machine came to rest on the grass on the opposite side of the track.
Fortunately, the incident came during the closing stages and did not result in further disruption to the race.
Talbot’s Strong Weekend Ends in Crash
Rookie falls while fighting to remain with the leading group
Joe Talbot had been the leading rookie throughout much of the weekend but was unable to convert his pace into another points finish in the final race.
The Bimota rider was running eighth and pushing to remain with the group ahead when he crashed at Turn 3, Campbell, on Lap 11.
His retirement brought an unfortunate end to what had otherwise been an encouraging weekend for the rookie.
Redding Retires on the Opening Lap
Championship challenger suffers major setback
Scott Redding’s final race was over almost before it had begun.
The Hager PBM Ducati rider dropped back during the opening lap and then made contact with Jason O’Halloran through Turn 13.
Redding was forced to retire, meaning he left Thruxton without adding to his championship points total in the final race.
The DNF proved particularly costly because Ryde finished on the podium.
More Riders Hit Trouble
The final race also featured several other retirements.
Ilya Mikhalchik was forced to retire to the pits, while Joe Talbot later crashed out.
Storm Stacey did not even make the start after a technical problem prevented his Bathams AJN Ducati from taking part in the warm-up lap.
Jason O’Halloran’s late crash added another retirement to the list.
Graeme Irwin, continuing as cover for his brother Andrew at MET fonaCAB Racing, was the best-placed replacement rider in 15th.
Joe Sheldon-Shaw, standing in for Luke Hedger at Whitecliffe CDH Racing, saw the chequered flag in 20th.
Richard Kerr Taken to Hospital After Warm-Up Crash
Rider suffers heavy fall at Village
The weekend also saw a serious incident during warm-up.
Richard Kerr suffered a heavy crash at Village and was assessed after reporting that he had been winded and was experiencing back pain.
He was subsequently transferred to hospital for further assessment, with reports indicating suspected lung contusion and limb injuries.
The incident added to an already eventful weekend at the high-speed Hampshire circuit.
Max Cook Returns to Thruxton Paddock
Bimota rider supports team after Race 1 crash
Max Cook was back in the Thruxton paddock following his heavy Race 1 crash.
Cook had suffered a significant accident on the pit straight while battling Leon Haslam, resulting in the red flag that ended the opening race.
After a period of unconsciousness at the scene, Cook was transferred to the medical centre before being taken to hospital for overnight observation.
He was ruled out of the remainder of the Thruxton weekend but returned to the paddock to support the Bimota operation.
His presence was a positive sight for the team following the frightening incident.
Thruxton Championship Standings: Ryde Extends Lead
Ducati rider leaves Hampshire with 47-point advantage
The biggest championship winner from Thruxton was Kyle Ryde.
Despite missing the Sprint podium, the reigning champion’s Race 1 victory and final-race third place helped him extend his advantage at the top of the standings.
Ryde now leads the championship with 348 points, giving him a 47-point advantage over Scott Redding.
Redding remains second on 301 points after his final-race retirement.
Bradley Ray occupies third on 257 points, 91 behind Ryde.
Leon Haslam sits fourth with 223 points.
Vickers’ stunning double has moved him firmly into fifth place with 199 points, significantly strengthening his championship position.
2026 BSB Championship Top Five
- Kyle Ryde – 348 points
- Scott Redding – 301 points
- Bradley Ray – 257 points
- Leon Haslam – 223 points
- Ryan Vickers – 199 points
Vickers Emerges as a Genuine Championship Threat
Ryan Vickers’ Thruxton weekend could prove to be a turning point in his 2026 season.
The Honda rider arrived at the Hampshire circuit looking for a breakthrough and leaves with two race victories, a podium and a substantial increase in championship points.
More importantly, both victories were earned through strong racecraft rather than simply dominating from the front.
Vickers picked his moments carefully, remained patient while the riders around him fought and then delivered decisive overtakes when the opportunities appeared.
That combination of speed and judgement could make him an increasingly important factor in the championship battle.
Thruxton Delivers Another Classic BSB Weekend
The seventh round of the 2026 British Superbike Championship produced almost everything BSB fans have come to expect from Thruxton.
There were dramatic overtakes, late-race battles, technical problems, crashes and two incredibly close finishes.
Kyle Ryde opened the weekend by ending Yamaha’s long winning run at the circuit before Vickers took over the headlines with his sensational double.
Bradley Ray was consistently among the fastest riders, while Scott Redding showed strong pace but leaves Hampshire disappointed after his final-race retirement.
For Honda Racing UK, however, the weekend will be remembered for Vickers.
Two victories in one day have transformed his championship campaign and ended Honda’s long wait for another BSB win.
With Ryde still holding a 47-point advantage and Redding, Ray, Haslam and Vickers all within striking distance of the championship fight, the 2026 BSB season is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
Thruxton may be finished, but the championship battle is only getting started.
Images; Honda Racing UK, Ryan Vickers
