After a four-week break in the calendar for the Isle of Man TT races, the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team gets back to Bennetts British Superbike action this weekend as the world’s premier domestic race series head north of the border to the home of Scottish motorsport, Knockhill. The 1.27-mile undulating Fife circuit is unique in its layout, the riders getting barely a moment’s rest around the sub-50s lap.
Currently holding fourth place in the standing, Nottinghamshire’s Kyle Ryde took part in the recent test at the picturesque circuit, totalling 122 laps and finding a strong base setting for his Yamaha R1 machine. A win in the first race at Donington Park last time out and a battling fifth on a rebuilt motorcycle in race three have given the former 125cc British Champion a big boost of confidence ahead of the weekend’s action.
Championship leader, Brad Ray, heads to Scotland looking to continue a streak of success that has seen him finish on the podium in every race he’s finished in 2022. With two wins, three seconds, and three third places to his name from nine races, the Kent rider is keen to keep that sequence going at a circuit he enjoys. Ray currently leads Jason O’Halloran by 28 points, with Ryde just 13 points adrift of the pair.
Brad Ray: “It’s going to be good fun riding my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R1 around Knockhill, that’s for sure! It’s a place that suits my style and a circuit I enjoy racing at having had some strong results there previously. I had a procedure done on my arm after Donington Park, as I struggled quite a bit late in the races so I’m really keen to see how that will improve my performance and feeling. Obviously, I want to continue the podium run but winning races is the best feeling, so we’ll be working hard to give ourselves the best opportunity possible to come away with three more strong results.”
Kyle Ryde: “I felt really good after the test at Knockhill a couple of weeks ago. We worked through a lot of different settings on my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R1 to get me comfortable and we lapped consistently well towards the end. Knockhill is a physical circuit, there’s absolutely no rest and there will always be someone looking to lunge up the inside into turn one or the Hairpin! We’re in a good place, the Donington Park win has set us up nicely and we’ll be looking for more of the same in Scotland.”
Paul Curran: “It’s been a relentless time for the team and I’m proud of the professionalism shown by everyone. We’re heading to Scotland in a confident mood after the display from both riders across the opening three rounds so far; I certainly couldn’t have asked for more from the riders or their crews. Knockhill always brings close racing and it’s going to be no different this weekend, and we can’t wait to get started.”
