Thruxton Race 1 – Full Report

The opening race of round six in the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton delivered a thriller, with Kyle Ryde snatching victory in the final lap showdown. It was a contest full of lead changes, bold passes, and nail-biting moments — and in the end, Ryde’s perfectly timed move sealed his second win of the season.

Ryde started from pole for the first time this year, a position he had converted into a win at Thruxton last season. The reigning champion and Nitrous Competitions Yamaha rider didn’t have it all his own way early on. After briefly losing the lead, he sat in the chasing pack, calmly watching as the lead swapped hands multiple times ahead of him. His strategy was clear — stay close, conserve energy, and attack when it mattered most.

With the laps ticking down, Ryde began to edge forward. He moved into second, then took control of the race on lap 17. From there, he tried to stretch a gap, knowing he would need a cushion for Thruxton’s high-speed drag to the flag. Behind him, Max Cook gave chase before Danny Kent mounted his own charge on the final lap. Kent closed the gap but Ryde’s precision and pace proved just enough — he crossed the line 0.179 seconds clear, his Yamaha roaring to another Thruxton triumph.

The win marks Ryde’s second at the Hampshire circuit, matching his race one victory from 2024. It also extends Yamaha’s dominance at Thruxton to an astonishing 13 straight wins, a streak unbroken since 2019, when Ducati’s Josh Brookes and Honda’s Andrew Irwin last broke the monopoly.

Kent, Cook Complete the Podium

Danny Kent had been the man to beat on Friday, topping the times and feeling confident enough to park his bike before the end of Q2, settling for eighth on the grid. In the race, he took turns in the lead and was firmly in the fight, ultimately finishing second for McAMS Yamaha.

Third went to a determined Max Cook, giving AJN Steelstock Kawasaki its first podium of the year. Starting sixth, Cook was in the thick of the front battle early on, even scrapping with Charlie Nesbitt for the lead before an unfortunate touch — his front tyre clipping Nesbitt’s rear — forced him to save a near crash and drop to eighth by lap six. Undaunted, he fought back, even surviving another scare when both wheels momentarily locked in quick succession. In the end, Cook secured his second career BSB podium — his first since last year’s sprint race at Thruxton.

Front Group Fights and Comebacks

Honda Racing UK’s Tommy Bridewell also had his spell in front before slipping to eighth, then clawing his way back to fourth. Teammate Andrew Irwin followed in fifth after trading places with Nesbitt (sixth for MasterMac Honda) and Christian Iddon (seventh for Kawasaki).

Bradley Ray, starting from second, launched into the lead by turn one and looked ready to set the pace. But struggles through Thruxton’s chicanes cost him ground, and he eventually salvaged eighth to limit damage to his championship lead.

Moto Rapido Ducati’s Leon Haslam completed the front row in qualifying but quickly dropped back. He recovered to the lead group before a wide run off-track saw him handed a two-second penalty for not losing enough time, pushing him to ninth.

Points Scorers and Notable Battles

Rory Skinner, aboard the Cheshire Mouldings Ducati, spent much of the race dicing for the lower points positions before making a late charge to tenth, passing Scott Redding’s Hager PBM Ducati in 11th. Behind them, Josh Brookes staged his own fightback to finish 12th for DAO Racing.

Storm Stacey claimed 13th for Bathams AJN Racing as the top BMW finisher, with Billy McConnell (C&L Fairburn Properties/Look Forward Racing) taking 14th, and Fraser Rogers bringing TAG Honda home in 15th.

Just outside the points was Glenn Irwin in 16th, returning from injury and adapting to the Nitrous Competitions Yamaha. Three and a half seconds behind came the top rookie battle, with Scott Swann edging John McPhee for 17th and 18th respectively.

Images Respective Teams