The opening British Superbike Championship (BSB) race of the Bank Holiday weekend at Cadwell Park delivered everything fans could have hoped for: fast laps, high drama, and a nail-biting finish that wasn’t decided until the very last corner. When the chequered flag finally fell, it was Bradley Ray who emerged victorious, taking his 11th win of the 2025 campaign by the slimmest of margins — just 0.087 seconds — after fending off an inspired late charge from Kyle Ryde.
Ray had set the tone earlier in the day with a record-breaking qualifying lap that earned him pole position. Lining up at the front of the grid, he wasted no time in converting that advantage, sending his Yamaha straight into the lead at Turn 1. True to form, Ray immediately tried to stamp his authority on the race, setting a new race lap record in his early push to break the field.
But Tommy Bridewell, starting from the front row, wasn’t about to let him get away. The experienced Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider shadowed Ray in the opening laps, keeping the #46 honest. Behind them, Honda Racing UK’s Kyle Ryde slotted into the mix, sitting on Ray’s tail and waiting to pounce.
Unfortunately, Bridewell’s strong run came undone on lap nine. While desperately trying to maintain Ray’s blistering pace, the Honda man lost control at the tricky Turn 10 chicane, sliding out of contention. His fall not only ended his podium hopes but also opened up a sizeable gap of nearly 2.5 seconds between Ray and the chasing Ryde.
For many riders, such a margin might have looked unassailable — but not for Ryde. Lap by lap, the Nitrous Competitions Yamaha rider reeled Ray back in, cutting the deficit with relentless precision. By the time the race entered its final two laps, Ryde was all over the leader’s rear wheel, turning what had looked like a comfortable win for Ray into a two-man dogfight.
The pivotal moment came at the Gooseneck. Ryde attempted a decisive move, but the reigning champion swung back across the racing line, almost unaware of how close his rival had drawn. Contact was made as Ray’s exhaust clipped Ryde’s front, sending a jolt through both machines. Thankfully, both riders stayed upright, but it was a heart-stopping moment that could easily have ended in disaster.
With his warning shot delivered, Ray knew the fight was on. From there, he switched into full defensive mode, shutting every door and leaving Ryde with no clear opening. Despite continuing to pressure all the way to the line, Ryde simply couldn’t find a way past. Ray’s cool-headed racecraft under pressure proved decisive, and he crossed the line a whisker ahead to claim another memorable win in what has already been a dominant season.
Ryde had to settle for second, while the battle for the final podium spot provided just as much late-race tension. For much of the contest, Christian Iddon looked nailed on for third, but Andrew Irwin had other ideas. Racing at Honda’s home circuit, Irwin launched a last-gasp attack in the closing laps and made it stick, securing his first podium finish of 2025 and giving the team plenty to cheer about in front of their home fans.
Just behind, Storm Stacey delivered another standout performance, bringing his Bathams BMW home in fifth place and once again proving himself as the top BMW runner. He had to work hard to fend off the charging Max Cook, who rode superbly to climb all the way to sixth after starting from a lowly Q1 position — a remarkable turnaround across the weekend.
Scott Redding crossed the line in seventh, while Leon Haslam fought his way through the pack for eighth after a tough qualifying crash had left him dead last in Superpole. His race was far from straightforward, with an early off-track excursion onto the grass forcing him to recover for a second time before salvaging a valuable finish.
Rory Skinner claimed ninth place, but not without controversy. He was handed a two-second penalty for a last-lap incident with Billy McConnell, forcing the latter off track and across the grass. While McConnell managed to stay upright, he tumbled down the order to 16th, costing him a potential top-10 finish.
Rounding out the top ten was Glenn Irwin, who quietly impressed in his first race on Yamaha machinery at the notoriously demanding Cadwell Park circuit.
Images Official BSB
