After a week in Northern Ireland with James Hillier for the Northwest 200 road races, the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team return to Bennetts British Superbike action this weekend at Donington Park for Round 3 of the premier domestic superbike series. The former home of the British Grand Prix is the team’s home round and also the home round of Kyle Ryde who along with teammate, Brad Ray, will be looking to continue the team’s exceptional start to the season.
Championship leader Brad Ray has a strong record around Donington Park, taking his maiden BSB wins at the legendary circuit back in 2018. The Oulton Park double race winner backed up those wins with his first Rich Energy Omg Racing podium, and the first podium for the team since the opening round of 2019, in the corresponding event last season. Currently holding a six-point lead over Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing), the Kent rider is keen to increase that advantage around the shorter National layout following the most successful British Superbike round of his career at Oulton Park last time out.
Nottinghamshire’s Kyle Ryde is another rider with a strong connection to Donington Park. The Jacksdale rider challenged World Supersport champion, Keenan Sofuoglu and Frenchman Jules Cluzel for victory as a wildcard back in 2015, finishing an astonishing third on his world championship debut. Like his teammate, Ryde’s first podium finish for the RICH Energy OMG Racing team came at Donington Park in the opening race of the penultimate round of the season last October. After a successful operation to relieve arm pump issues that restricted the former British GP2 champion’s early season progress has healed well, and Ryde is now fully focused on a solid points haul to build on his current fourth place in the championship standings.
Junior Supersport rider Lissy Whitmore returns to track action after the championship missed the Oulton Park round. The Lincolnshire rider is eager to re-join the team after the break and continue her development aboard her RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R3. Junior Superstock rider Chloe Jones is confident after a positive outing on her Yamaha R6 at Oulton Park and is ready for the challenges the National circuit brings.
Brad Ray: “It’s been a nice break since Oulton Park, I’ve had time to relax and take in just what we achieved at Oulton Park last time out. Kyle and I have been over to the Northwest 200 with the team to support James Hillier and that really was something else, but now we’re fully focused on the job at hand which is to defend our championship lead. The RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha boys have been working hard and we’re looking at nothing other than cementing our position. I like Donington Park, it holds great memories for me and a repeat of those memories this weekend would be mega for all of us.”
Kyle Ryde: “Oulton Park was a difficult round with my arm issues but to come away with what we did was brilliant. Now that I’ve had the operation at the excellent Spire Manchester Hospital, I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in at my home track. A few days away with the team at the Northwest 200 have been a great distraction and my arm has healed nicely, now I just want to ride my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha again. I’ve always gone well at Donington Park, and I can’t wait to see just how well our Yamaha R1 performs around there.”
Paul Curran, Team Principal: “It’s been a hectic time for everyone with our Road Racing commitment but we’re all looking forward to getting back to business at BSB. Brad and Kyle both enjoy the circuit and the pedigree of the Yamaha R1 is there for all to see. We’ve had a fantastic opening two rounds to 2022 and we’ll be working hard to ensure that run of success continues this weekend.”
