Ryde Completes Oulton Park Hat-Trick with Hard-Fought Race Victory

Ryde Doubles Up at Oulton Park with Commanding Race 2 Victory

Champion Extends Perfect Start to 2026 Season

Reigning British Superbike champion Kyle Ryde continued his strong start to the 2026 campaign with a second consecutive victory at Oulton Park, once again fending off fierce competition from fellow title contenders.

The Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing rider produced another composed and calculated performance, securing the win ahead of Leon Haslam and Bradley Ray to make it back-to-back victories and reinforce his early championship lead.

Explosive Start as Cook Takes Early Lead

Rookie Impresses Off the Line

The race began with a surprise at the front as Max Cook launched brilliantly from the grid, putting his AJN Steelstock Bimota machine into the lead on the opening lap.

Cook’s aggressive start immediately put pressure on the established frontrunners, with Haslam and Ray slotting in behind while Ryde initially settled into fourth position.

Oulton Park’s narrow layout and flowing nature make early track position critical, and Cook’s start briefly gave him control of the race tempo.

Ryde Moves Decisively Through the Field

Calculated Overtakes Define Race

Despite not leading early on, Ryde wasted little time asserting himself. On the opening lap, he made a clean move on Ray before lining up Haslam shortly after.

His decisive moment came at Island Bend, where he executed a confident overtake on Haslam to move into second. Just one lap later, Ryde completed his charge to the front, taking the lead and immediately beginning to control the race.

From there, the defending champion focused on consistency—hitting his marks lap after lap and preventing any realistic opportunity for his rivals to attack.

Haslam Holds Firm Under Pressure from Ray

Battle for Second Adds Late Drama

While Ryde edged clear at the front, the fight for second place remained intense throughout the race.

Haslam delivered a disciplined performance, repeatedly defending against the persistent challenge of Ray. The McAMS Yamaha rider searched for opportunities but was unable to find a way through, particularly as Haslam expertly covered the racing line in key braking zones.

The duel highlighted the fine margins of British Superbike racing, where experience and racecraft often prove just as important as outright speed.

Midfield Fights Showcase Championship Depth

Redding Secures Strong Fourth

Behind the podium trio, Scott Redding put together another solid ride for Hager PBM Racing. After battling closely with Storm Stacey in the early laps, Redding gradually built a gap to secure fourth place.

Both riders had earlier passed Cook as the rookie began to feel pressure from more experienced competitors, eventually finishing sixth but still impressing on his debut weekend.

Consistent Performances in the Top Ten

Vickers Edges Tight Battle for Seventh

Further back, Ryan Vickers continued his solid return to the championship by finishing seventh for Honda Racing UK. He held off a determined challenge from Rory Skinner, with the pair separated by only a small margin.

Rookie Joe Talbot once again impressed, securing another top ten finish in ninth place, underlining his strong start to life in the series.

Lee Jackson rounded out the top ten as the leading rider for DAO Racing Honda.

Tough Race for Irwin Continues Challenging Weekend

Struggles Persist for Ducati Rider

It proved to be another difficult outing for Glenn Irwin, who endured a frustrating race after showing promise earlier in the weekend.

The Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing rider gradually dropped down the order, unable to match the pace of the front-running group and continuing a challenging start to his 2026 campaign.

Oulton Park Demands Precision and Patience

Circuit Characteristics Shape the Race

Oulton Park remains one of the most technically demanding circuits on the British Superbike calendar. Its narrow layout, elevation changes, and limited overtaking opportunities reward riders who can combine aggression with precision.

Ryde’s performance in Race 2 once again demonstrated his ability to manage these challenges—choosing the right moments to attack before settling into a controlled rhythm at the front.

Early Championship Picture Takes Shape

Ryde Lays Down a Strong Marker

With two wins from the opening races, Ryde has made a clear statement in his title defence. His ability to adapt to different race situations—whether charging through the field or controlling from the front—highlights why he remains the rider to beat.

However, the consistent presence of Haslam and Ray on the podium suggests that the fight for the 2026 title is far from settled. Both riders have shown they have the pace to challenge, and as the season progresses, the margins are likely to remain incredibly tight.

Ryde Completes Oulton Park Hat-Trick with Hard-Fought Race Victory

Reigning champion Kyle Ryde delivered a statement weekend at Oulton Park, sealing a clean sweep of victories to open the 2026 British Superbike Championship season in commanding fashion.

The Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing rider didn’t have it all his own way in the final race, however. He was pushed to the limit by fellow champion Leon Haslam in a tense and tactical battle that went down to the closing laps.

Lightning Start from Ray Sets Early Pace

For the third time across the weekend, Bradley Ray launched off the line with precision, grabbing the early advantage aboard his McAMS Yamaha machine.

Ray led into the opening corners, with Haslam slotting into second and Scott Redding and Ryde following close behind. The early laps saw the front four break clear, immediately setting up another high-intensity fight at the front.

Redding Joins the Fight as Front Group Battles

While the spotlight remained on the title contenders, Scott Redding added another dimension to the race. On lap five, he made a decisive move on Ryde to move into third, underlining his intent to fight for a podium.

Ahead of them, Haslam began to apply increasing pressure on Ray. The experienced rider eventually made his move on lap ten, diving down the inside at Shell Oils hairpin to take the race lead.

Ryde Responds with Decisive Moves

As the race entered its critical phase, Ryde began to assert himself. A strong lap 11 saw the champion make two key overtakes in quick succession—first reclaiming third from Redding at Old Hall, then passing Ray at Brittens.

Those moves brought him right onto the rear wheel of Haslam, setting up a direct fight for victory.

On the following lap, Ryde seized his opportunity, making a clean and calculated pass to take the lead. But the battle was far from over.

Haslam Fights Back in Thrilling Duel

Refusing to back down, Haslam struck back just two laps later. With a bold move at Lodge corner, he reclaimed the lead, demonstrating both experience and determination.

However, Ryde remained composed under pressure. Showing the confidence of a defending champion, he responded immediately—replicating Haslam’s move at the same corner just one lap later to retake the lead.

From that moment on, Ryde controlled the race, managing the gap and denying Haslam any further opportunity to attack.

Champions Lock Out the Podium Again

At the chequered flag, Kyle Ryde crossed the line to complete a perfect weekend, securing his third win in as many races.

Leon Haslam held on for second place after another strong performance, while Bradley Ray completed the podium in third, continuing the trend of experienced champions dominating the top positions.

Redding narrowly missed out on a podium finish despite a competitive showing, taking fourth place for Hager PBM Racing Team.

Strong Recovery Ride from Glenn Irwin

Further back, Glenn Irwin produced one of the standout performances of the race. Starting from tenth on the grid after a difficult weekend, the Nitrous Competitions Racing rider carved his way through the field to finish fifth.

Irwin’s aggressive yet controlled ride saw him overtake a group of competitive riders including Rory Skinner, Max Cook, and Ryan Vickers, who rounded out positions six to eight.

Midfield Battles Add Depth to the Race

The opening laps also saw Storm Stacey running with the leading group, highlighting his growing pace and confidence. However, as the race progressed, he dropped back to ninth position.

Completing the top ten was Christian Iddon, who secured valuable points for Sencat Racing Yamaha.

Oulton Park Delivers Classic Superbike Action

The race once again showcased why Oulton Park remains a fan-favourite venue. Its narrow layout, elevation changes, and technical corners demand precision, bravery, and perfect timing—qualities that were on full display throughout the weekend.

The repeated overtakes at key sections such as Old Hall, Brittens, and Lodge highlighted how riders must balance aggression with control to succeed at this circuit.

Perfect Start Puts Ryde in Control

With a hat-trick of victories, Kyle Ryde leaves Oulton Park with maximum momentum and an early advantage in the championship standings.

However, the close battles with Leon Haslam and Bradley Ray suggest that the fight for the 2026 title is far from settled.

Race Result – Oulton Park (Final Race)

• 1st: Kyle Ryde
• 2nd: Leon Haslam
• 3rd: Bradley Ray
• 4th: Scott Redding
• 5th: Glenn Irwin
• 6th: Rory Skinner
• 7th: Max Cook
• 8th: Ryan Vickers
• 9th: Storm Stacey
• 10th: Christian Iddon

Early Championship Battle Takes Shape

The opening round has already delivered clear storylines: a champion in top form, experienced rivals ready to challenge, and a competitive midfield full of emerging talent.

Ryde may have completed a perfect weekend, but with the level of competition on display, the 2026 British Superbike Championship is shaping up to be a season defined by relentless battles and fine margins.

Images: Nitrous Competitions Racing