BSB Donington Park – Race One Report

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Round eight of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship returned to the iconic Donington Park circuit, and it was Scott Redding who stole the headlines. The Hager PBM Ducati rider rediscovered his best form, storming to victory in a race that was eventually cut short by a red flag.

Redding Back to His Best

Redding had already set the tone earlier in the weekend by smashing the qualifying record, earning pole position for the first of four races at Donington. From the moment the lights went out, he looked unstoppable. His trademark aggression combined with years of experience around Donington—stretching back to his maiden Grand Prix victory in the 125cc class in 2008—was clear to see.

Although Redding himself admitted he has struggled for rhythm in 2025, none of that showed on track. He immediately opened a gap at the front, controlling the pace with authority. That confidence, shaped by countless laps at the East Midlands circuit both in BSB and WorldSBK, allowed him to dictate the tempo. His second win of the season never looked in doubt.

The race, however, came to an early conclusion. With just one lap left on the board, John McPhee’s MasterMac Honda began trailing coolant, first appearing as smoke before disaster struck. Unaware of the fluid beneath him, the Scotsman was violently launched from his machine at high speed. The red flags came out instantly, and McPhee was stretchered away for medical treatment.

Ryde Chasing, But Points Secured

Championship leader Kyle Ryde, who reclaimed the standings lead at Cadwell Park, lined up second on the grid and gave spirited chase on the Nitrous Competitions Yamaha. At one stage, Ryde appeared to be reeling Redding in, narrowing the gap while also benefiting from the Ducati’s pace. However, the effort soon told, and by the time the race was called he was just over a second behind. While he couldn’t challenge for the win, the Nottinghamshire rider banked vital points that could prove decisive in the title fight.

Skinner Holds Off Kent in a Fierce Podium Scrap

The final spot on the rostrum was the subject of a gripping battle between Rory Skinner and Danny Kent. Starting from the front row, Skinner was aggressive from the outset, but Kent’s McAMS Yamaha shadowed him corner after corner. At Donington’s fast, flowing Old Hairpin, Kent repeatedly tried to carve a way through, only for Skinner’s Cheshire Mouldings Ducati to bite back.

Their duel raged until the red flag interruption, Skinner just clinging on to secure third place. The intensity of their battle allowed the chasing pack—Andrew Irwin and Bradley Ray in particular—to close in, briefly forming a four-bike contest for the final podium step.

Movers in the Pack

Andrew Irwin was a constant presence in fifth, ready to capitalise on any mistakes from the pair ahead, but the shortened distance left him unable to make a decisive move. Behind him, his brother Glenn Irwin showed strong race craft. Starting from eighth, he methodically reduced the gap to the leading group and eventually crossed the line sixth on the second Nitrous Competitions Yamaha, continuing his adaptation to the machine.

Former champion Tommy Bridewell also impressed with a gritty performance. Starting 12th, he worked his way forward steadily to take seventh on the Honda Racing UK bike, evidence that he is growing more comfortable again after a difficult run of form.

Leon Haslam took advantage of late-race opportunities, moving into eighth on the Moto Rapido Ducati by passing a fading Bradley Ray. Ray, who had dominated the last time BSB visited Donington earlier in the year, endured a frustrating race weekend. Mechanical issues in free practice left him short on track time, and though he made an excellent start to climb to fifth early on, his pace faded badly. He slipped to ninth when the red flags flew, a disappointing end given his earlier potential.

Christian Iddon rounded out the top ten on the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki, narrowly missing the chance to overtake Ray before the stoppage. His teammate Max Cook was just behind, ensuring Kawasaki representation in the top 12.