Bradley Ray made his presence felt within the British Superbike paddock after a breakaway win and file race tempo within the first race at Oulton Park to safe victory in domineering type on his return to the category.
The 2022 champion had been set to return to his outdated staff and teammate, Kyle Ryde for 2025 at OMG at the start fell by means of on the eve of the Navarra take a look at.
A lot work behind the scenes result in get each rider on the grid with a brand new sponsor at OMG for the now one man staff that includes simply Ryde, whereas McAMS earlier supervisor Steve Rogers made a comeback to the paddock, bringing again the outdated Raceways title to get Ray on the grid, with the #28 eager to indicate hos appreciation, including “It’s clearly nice to get the win, for myself and clearly Raceways and Steve (Rogers) and everybody in my nook”.
Earlier than the race, Ray took the chance to talk to Shane Byrne, as he revealed on TNT Sports activities BSB protection, with the returning rider revealing to British Superbikes that there was no stable plan earlier than that chat going into the race:
“I didn’t actually have a plan to enter the race – I spoke to Shane (Byrne) and type of stated simply get a very good begin, see what occurs within the opening laps and go from there, mainly.
I received it an alright firstly and felt good immediately – the bike felt actually good on the primary lap off the beginning, so I believed, you understand what, I’m simply going to go as arduous as I can ‘trigger I knew that the tyre would final as a result of we’ve finished sufficient in observe and in testing to know that on lap 16, on lap 18 of the tyre I can nonetheless do a decent lap time.”
It had appeared {that a} comfy Ray had eased off – his early in race file tempo had seen him construct a lead of over 5 seconds- however there have been additional revelations from the Yamaha man, who stated he had really had a small error, however sufficient of a bonus to stay filter out entrance:
“When you’ve received a niche it’s good to handle in direction of the tip – and I made a bit of mistake, perhaps 4 or 5 laps to go – which let Glenn get a bit of bit nearer, however I used to be simply watching the pit board, doing my very own race, making an attempt to remain calm as a result of, clearly I haven’t been on this place for a very long time.”
The Kent born rider additionally added that it was robust being out entrance alone after a disappointing WSBK marketing campaign within the years since he left, the place he recorded only one high ten end – a sixth place at Imola in 2023, stating “it was a protracted, lengthy eighteen laps with no-one in entrance of you and only a pit board to take a look at each lap.
It’s not been simple – when you look on the ends in the World Championship they’re not excellent in any respect, however truthfully I felt I’ve took a step from once I left in ‘22. “
Ray additionally touched on the concept he had been introduced as a one lap surprise, believing that his race win on the first try ought to put paid to that notion:
“Coming again, I’ve realized loads in myself. I’ve realized how you can handle periods and handle races in order that’s solely a constructive to take into this season. In the present day confirmed that – lots of people stated to me you are solely quick for one lap, which I’m, however I’ve backed it up with a race win – so there’s loads of work gone into this and I’m simply completely happy to have the ability to carry it dwelling.”
Ray completed by re- emphasising his happiness to be again after virtually being ride-less and his gratitude to those that made it a chance, saying he was “Truthfully, over the moon – it’s been a very good winter – clearly loads has occurred, however yeah, tremendous ,tremendous completely happy to be again profitable races, being aggressive once more, that’s what I’ve missed – being with such an amazing staff and such an amazing individual in Steve, it’s all devoted to him.”
