Redding Doubles Up, Ryde Strikes Back: Assen Showdown Delivers Sunday Thrills

The TT Circuit Assen served up a blockbuster Sunday of British Superbike action, with weather playing a starring role across two races. Scott Redding claimed a rain‑shortened Sprint victory before Kyle Ryde hit back in a thrilling Race Three, edging out Bradley Ray by just 0.160s at the line to extend his championship advantage. Here’s how the drama unfolded.

Race Two: Sprint Thriller — Redding Wins in Truncated Affair

The scheduled 12‑lap Sprint was reduced to 10 laps before it even began, but the action was anything but shortened. Leon Haslam was denied the start entirely — shown the black‑and‑orange flag on the sighting lap after his Moto Rapido Ducati began smoking, forcing him to watch from the pits.

Lights Out — Redding Leads, Ryde Chases

From pole, Scott Redding made a blistering getaway, holding the lead through a chaotic opening sequence. Ryan Vickers capitalised on Haslam’s absence to slot into second, while Kyle Ryde and Bradley Ray fought hard behind for the podium spots. By the second lap, Redding had settled into a rhythm and began to pull away, his lead stretching to nearly a second. Ryde had moved into second, managing the gap to protect his title lead, with Ray close behind in third and Vickers fourth.

Rain Returns — Race Red‑Flagged

With seven laps completed, the skies opened. Ryde raised his hand to signal the treacherous conditions, all riders on slicks as the rain fell. The race continued — for one more lap. Ray also protested as the track grew slippery, and the red flag was shown on Lap Eight. The result was declared at the line, with Redding the winner by 0.918s.

Ray took second for McAMS Yamaha, while Ryde — disappointed not to have pushed harder — settled for third, prioritising safe progress over maximum aggression. Vickers held on for a clear fourth for Honda Racing UK.

Sprint Top 10

Max Cook continued his consistent run in fifth, while Ilya Mikhalchik edged ahead of Jason O’Halloran to take sixth — and the top rookie honours — after a close battle. Andrew Irwin impressed on his return from injury, climbing from 20th on the grid to tenth, the biggest mover of the race. Storm Stacey, Fraser Rogers, Danny Kent, Scott Swann, and Josh Brookes completed the points finishers.

Race Three: Ryde Edges Ray in Last‑Lap Thriller

If the Sprint was tense, Race Three was breathless. Starting from pole after setting the fastest times before the rain interruption, Bradley Ray led the field away, but it was Ryan Vickers who snatched the holeshot. By Lap Two, Kyle Ryde had moved to the front, and a lead group of four pulled clear — Ryde, Ray, Vickers, and Scott Redding — separated by mere tenths of a second.

Lap‑by‑Lap Duel at the Front

Ray first forced his way past at Stekkenwal on Lap Five, only for Ryde to fight back immediately. Redding took until Lap Ten to find a way past Vickers, and once through, he rapidly closed on the leading pair, making it a three‑way fight for the win. Ray reclaimed the lead on the penultimate lap — again briefly — before Ryde responded to lead onto the final tour.

Final Lap Drama — Redding Slides, Ryde Snares Victory

Through the final chicane, Redding lined up his move, but lost the rear under acceleration. He saved the bike, but the front wheel lifted, killing his momentum. Ryde saw his chance and bolted, crossing the line just 0.160s ahead of Ray, with a frustrated Redding forced to settle for third. As they took the chequered flag, heavy rain returned to the circuit — a fitting end to a dramatic weekend.

Vickers finished fourth, setting the fastest race lap in the process, with Max Cook fifth once again.

Race Three Top 10

Comebacks of the Day

Leon Haslam produced a sensational recovery after his Sprint disappointment. Starting from the back of the grid, he carved his way through the field to finish sixth, the oil system issue resolved overnight. Rory Skinner was equally impressive — his Yamaha billowing smoke on the sighting lap delayed the start, but his team worked miracles on the grid, and the Scot charged from last to seventh.

Further back, Andrew Irwin faded to 11th after running as high as eighth, while Josh Brookes got the better of Lee Jackson for 12th. Ilya Mikhalchik crashed at Ramshoek and was taken to the medical centre for checks; Joe Talbot also fell, and Fraser Rogers and Eugene McManus retired to the pits.

British Superbike Championship standings:

1. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing) 434
2. Scott Redding (Hager PBM Racing Team) 371
3. Bradley Ray (McAMS Yamaha) 327
4. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Racing) 280
5. Ryan Vickers (Honda Racing UK) 271
6. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock bimota) 224
7. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha) 205
8. Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) 136
9. Christian Iddon (Sencat Racing Yamaha) 133
10. Danny Kent (Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha) 129

Images: MSVR, Nitrous Competitions Racing