BSB Oulton Park Race One: Brookes Back on Top in Last-Lap Thriller

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Josh Brookes returned to winning ways with a hard-fought and dramatic victory in the opening race of the weekend at Oulton Park, marking his first success since the second round of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The Australian gave DAO Racing cause for celebration by mastering the tricky, weather-affected conditions and timing his charge to perfection.

The race itself was anything but straightforward. Changing conditions left the grid split on tyre choice, creating a tense battle from lights to flag. Leon Haslam looked to have the measure of the field for much of the 14-lap contest, controlling the pace and managing the mixed grip levels. But in true Oulton Park fashion, the drama was saved for the very end. On the final lap, Brookes pounced with a decisive move, slipping past Haslam and holding his line to the chequered flag. Haslam, representing the Moto Rapido Ducati squad, had no time to retaliate and was forced to settle for second, missing out on what would have been his second win of the season.

Championship leader Kyle Ryde showcased his trademark consistency once again. The Nitrous Competitions Racing rider was the top man on full wet tyres, carefully navigating the changing surface to claim the final spot on the podium in third place. His ability to bank solid points while others gambled and faltered underlines why he continues to lead the title fight.

Just outside the rostrum places was Fraser Rogers. Starting from the front row, the TAG Honda rider put in a gritty performance, narrowly missing out on the champagne but still delivering a strong fourth-place finish for his team. Behind him, Storm Stacey rounded out the top five. The Bathams AJN Racing BMW man also lined up from the front row, but his decision to stick with wet tyres ultimately cost him pace against the riders who gambled on intermediates.

Defending 2023 champion Tommy Bridewell battled hard to finish in sixth on his Honda Racing UK CBR1000RR-R. Bridewell never quite found the speed to mix it at the front, but he kept himself in contention and bagged useful points.

Max Cook returned to the top ten after a tough outing last time at Assen. The AJN Steelstock Kawasaki rider looked sharper in the British conditions, crossing the line in seventh place to open his Oulton Park account positively. He was joined in the top ten by fellow Honda man Billy McConnell, who finally found some form in what has been a difficult 2025 campaign. The Australian brought his CBR1000RR-R home in eighth — his best finish of the season so far and an important confidence boost in the unpredictable conditions.

Bradley Ray, one of the key championship contenders, endured a disappointing race after making the wrong tyre call. Opting for soft wets, the OMG Racing star faded as the track dried, eventually crossing the line in ninth. It was a costly decision, though damage limitation at least kept him inside the points.

Rounding out the top ten was pole-sitter Charlie Nesbitt. The MasterMac Honda rider had looked strong earlier in the weekend, but once the race settled, he was unable to match the pace of the leading wet-tyre runners and steadily slipped backwards across the 14 laps. Even so, tenth place ensured he salvaged something from a tough opener.

For Brookes, though, the day belonged to him. The veteran Aussie proved he still has the speed and racecraft to seize opportunities, and his perfectly executed last-lap move on Haslam was a reminder of his experience and hunger. With two more races to come this weekend at Oulton Park, the fight for wins — and vital championship points — is only just heating up.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 1 result: