Ducati rivals split Sunday’s victories while Kyle Ryde leaves Kent with the King of Brands crown and an increased championship lead

The fifth round of the 2026 Bennetts British Superbike Championship delivered another thrilling chapter at the iconic Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit as Scott Redding and Kyle Ryde shared Sunday’s victories in front of a packed Kent crowd.

Reigning champion Ryde continued his remarkable start to the season by dominating the Sprint Race before Scott Redding responded with a measured and determined victory in the feature race to deny his Ducati rival a clean sweep of the weekend.

The pair once again demonstrated why they have emerged as the leading contenders for this year’s title, producing another display of pace that left the rest of the field battling for the remaining podium position. While Ryde extended his championship lead, Redding’s Race Three victory ensured the championship battle remains very much alive heading into the next round.

Behind the leading Ducati duo, Max Cook continued an impressive campaign for AJN Steelstock Bimota with another pair of podium finishes, while Leon Haslam, Bradley Ray, Glenn Irwin and Ryan Vickers all enjoyed competitive afternoons in one of the strongest fields British Superbikes has assembled in recent years.

Race Two: Ryde Produces Sprint Masterclass

Championship leader storms from third to victory after early fight through the pack

Following Saturday’s dramatic opening race, all eyes were on the 12-lap Sprint Race as Scott Redding lined up on pole position courtesy of setting the fastest lap during Race One.

Although Redding occupied the prime starting position, it was Max Cook who made the perfect getaway.

The AJN Steelstock Bimota rider launched superbly from the front row to grab the lead into Paddock Hill Bend, with Redding immediately slotting into second place. Behind them, Kyle Ryde endured an unusually sluggish launch from second on the grid and briefly found himself under pressure from Bradley Ray and Christian Iddon as the field streamed through the opening corners.

Rather than forcing risky overtaking moves, the reigning champion remained composed.

By the end of the opening lap Ryde had already recovered third position before beginning his charge towards the front.

It took only two more laps for the championship leader to completely transform the race.

First he swept past Scott Redding before immediately setting his sights on Cook. Moments later Ryde dived into the lead with another clinical move before unleashing a pace that nobody else could match.

Ryde Breaks the Lap Record Twice

Ducati rider pulls away with astonishing pace

Once clear of the chasing pack, Ryde demonstrated exactly why he has been the benchmark rider throughout the opening half of the season.

The Nitrous Competitions Ducati rider immediately produced a new race lap record before lowering it again on the very next lap as he steadily built an unassailable advantage.

Every lap extended the gap.

By the time the chequered flag fell, Ryde crossed the line 2.197 seconds clear of Scott Redding after producing what many regarded as one of the fastest sprint race performances ever seen at Brands Hatch.

The victory was his tenth of the season from only fourteen races and further strengthened his growing reputation as the rider everyone else must beat in 2026.

Redding Limits the Damage

Second place keeps title hopes alive

Although unable to challenge Ryde once he hit the front, Scott Redding extracted the maximum possible result from the Sprint Race.

After briefly losing second position during the opening exchanges, the Hager PBM Ducati rider settled into a strong rhythm before overtaking Max Cook on Lap 8.

Redding gradually reduced Ryde’s lead during the closing stages but the gap proved too large to erase.

Second place nevertheless represented another valuable championship haul and ensured the Ducati rider would again start from pole position for the weekend’s feature race.

Cook Keeps Bimota on the Podium

Another impressive performance for revitalised manufacturer

Max Cook continued one of the standout stories of the 2026 campaign.

The AJN Steelstock Bimota rider showed excellent pace throughout the Sprint Race, leading the opening laps before eventually settling for another third-place finish.

Although unable to match the relentless speed of Ryde and Redding, Cook once again finished comfortably inside the old lap record and underlined the remarkable progress made by the Bimota project since returning to British Superbikes.

His consistency has firmly established him as one of the championship’s genuine podium contenders.

Fierce Battles Throughout the Top Ten

Haslam, Vickers and Ray entertain in midfield fight

Behind the leading trio, the battle for fourth provided plenty of entertainment.

Bradley Ray looked considerably more competitive than he had during Saturday’s race, spending much of the contest shadowing Cook and Redding aboard his striking McAMS Yamaha carrying the special purple and gold “Cadbury’s Boost” livery.

However, Ryan Vickers produced one of the best overtakes of the race during the closing laps.

The Honda Racing UK rider attacked Leon Haslam to secure fifth position, relegating the experienced Moto Rapido Ducati rider to sixth.

Christian Iddon enjoyed another competitive ride to seventh for Sencat Yamaha despite dropping back after an excellent opening lap.

Glenn Irwin continued building confidence following his recent injury problems by finishing eighth, comfortably ahead of Rory Skinner, who secured ninth for Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.

Josh Brookes completed the top ten after climbing four positions from fourteenth on the grid, narrowly beating teammate Danny Kent.

Rookie Joe Talbot again impressed.

Having briefly run inside the top eight during the opening laps, the young Bimota rider remained calm after more experienced rivals worked their way past to secure twelfth place and further valuable rookie championship points.

Lee Jackson, Ilya Mikhalchik and Jason O’Halloran completed the points-paying positions.

Drama Continues Behind the Scenes

Crashes and retirements interrupt several riders

Not everyone enjoyed a trouble-free afternoon.

Storm Stacey’s difficult weekend continued when the Bathams AJN Ducati rider slipped backwards through the field before eventually retiring to the pits on Lap 7.

There was also early drama at Druids.

Richard Kerr collided with the already-falling Graeme Irwin after the latter crashed while deputising for his injured brother Andrew. Kerr initially attempted to continue before officials displayed the black-and-orange mechanical flag, forcing him back into the pit lane.

Charlie Nesbitt remained absent after aggravating an existing hand injury during Friday practice.

Eugene McManus also missed Sunday’s racing following the heavy Race One accident that left him with suspected fractures to his shoulder, arm and leg.

Race Three: Redding Strikes Back

Pole position converted into perfectly controlled victory

The final race of the weekend produced another fascinating duel between British Superbikes’ two standout performers.

Starting from pole position, Scott Redding made no mistakes.

The Ducati rider reacted brilliantly when the lights went out and immediately swept into the lead at Paddock Hill Bend before establishing an early advantage over the chasing pack.

Unlike earlier races where overtaking played a major role, Race Three quickly became a contest of concentration and race management.

Redding understood that maintaining track position around Brands Hatch’s narrow and undulating Grand Prix circuit would prove crucial.

Lap after lap he controlled proceedings from the front.

Safety Car Threatens to Undo Redding’s Hard Work

Leader responds perfectly under pressure

Just as Redding appeared to be edging away, the race was neutralised by a Safety Car following a heavy crash for Brayden Elliott at Stirling’s.

The interruption immediately erased the Ducati rider’s hard-earned lead.

With the field compressed once more, Ryde sensed another opportunity.

At the restart, Redding executed a flawless getaway exiting Clearways, immediately rebuilding a small cushion over the reigning champion.

Ryde reduced the gap to just 0.132 seconds during the closing laps, but every time the championship leader appeared ready to launch an attack, Redding responded with another sequence of consistently fast laps.

The former champion eventually crossed the finish line 0.925 seconds clear to claim an important victory and prevent Ryde from completing a weekend treble.

Brake Problems Fail to Stop Ryde

Second place secures King of Brands honours

Although disappointed to miss out on another victory, Kyle Ryde still left Brands Hatch with plenty to celebrate.

Throughout the closing stages he battled an increasingly troublesome front brake issue that prevented him from attacking Redding with complete confidence.

Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Ryde settled for second place and valuable championship points.

His perfect run of podium finishes in 2026 remains intact, while his consistency over all three races earned him the coveted King of Brands Trophy, awarded to the rider scoring the most points across the weekend.

Cook Completes Podium Hat-Trick

Bimota rider enjoys outstanding weekend

Max Cook once again claimed the final podium position.

Unlike the Sprint Race, Cook managed to remain within striking distance of the leading Ducati pair for much longer before eventually finishing just over three seconds behind the winner.

Another podium further strengthened both his championship position and Bimota’s growing reputation as a genuine front-running package.

Strong Recovery for Glenn Irwin

Injury comeback gathers momentum

One of the most encouraging performances came from Glenn Irwin.

Only a fortnight earlier the Northern Irishman had finished the Snetterton weekend in hospital following his accident.

At Brands Hatch he completed an excellent recovery by charging from eighth on the grid to finish fifth after overtaking Ryan Vickers late in the race.

The performance suggested Irwin is steadily returning to full fitness.

Vickers nevertheless completed another productive weekend in sixth after significant improvements to the handling of his Honda Racing UK machine.

Rory Skinner claimed seventh after passing Bradley Ray during the closing laps.

Ray once again struggled with tyre degradation in the longer race distance and slipped to eighth after another promising opening phase.

Danny Kent recovered strongly following the Safety Car period to finish ninth, while rookie Joe Talbot won a close fight for tenth ahead of Lee Jackson.

Jason O’Halloran, Ilya Mikhalchik, Storm Stacey and Luke Hedger completed the points scorers.

Further Misfortune for Several Riders

Christian Iddon looked destined for another top-seven finish before a broken hose cap caused water to spill onto his rear tyre, forcing the Sencat Yamaha rider into retirement.

Josh Brookes’ race lasted barely a lap before mechanical trouble sent the DAO Racing Ducati back to the pits.

Fraser Rogers also retired early, while Graeme Irwin suffered another fall after the Safety Car restart.

Both Charlie Nesbitt and Eugene McManus remained absent following injuries sustained earlier in the weekend.

Championship Battle Tightens

Although Redding reduced the deficit slightly with victory in the final race, Kyle Ryde still leaves Brands Hatch firmly in command of the championship.

The reigning champion now heads the standings on 252 points, maintaining a 19-point advantage over Redding, who climbs to 233.

Bradley Ray remains third overall despite a difficult weekend, although Leon Haslam has reduced the gap significantly following another series of consistent finishes.

Max Cook’s three podiums elevate him further into championship contention as he completes the top five.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings

1.Kyle Ryde – 252 points

2.Scott Redding – 233 points

3.Bradley Ray – 167 points

4.Leon Haslam – 165 points

5.Max Cook – 151 points

In the Rookie Championship, Joe Talbot continues to lead despite facing increasing pressure from BMW rider Ilya Mikhalchik.

Rookie Championship Standings

1. Joe Talbot – 61 points
2. Ilya Mikhalchik – 27 points
3. Rhys Irwin – 13 points
4. Eugene McManus – 8 points

Brands Hatch Delivers Another Memorable Weekend

Round Five once again demonstrated why Brands Hatch remains one of the highlights of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship calendar.

The Grand Prix circuit rewarded bravery, punished mistakes and produced outstanding racing across all three contests.

Kyle Ryde may have strengthened his title challenge by collecting two victories and the King of Brands Trophy, but Scott Redding’s commanding feature race victory ensured the championship fight is far from settled.

With Max Cook continuing Bimota’s impressive resurgence, Leon Haslam edging ever closer to the championship’s top three, and Glenn Irwin returning to competitive form after injury, the second half of the season promises plenty more drama.

As the championship moves on from Brands Hatch, the battle for the 2026 Bennetts British Superbike title continues to gather momentum, with Ryde holding the advantage but Redding proving he still has the pace to mount a sustained challenge.

Images:MSVR, Hager PBM Ducati, Nitrous Competitions Racing