After taking his historic double triple in Snetterton, Bradley Ray had been anticipated to maintain the momentum stepping into Scotland, however the begin to his Knockhill British Superbikes weekend was something however easy.
Leaving it late in apply to maneuver on to Q2, Ray did go on to achieve pole place, however solely after his first crash of the season.
From the highest spot on the grid the Raceways Yamaha rider was shortly handed by rival Kyle Ryde:
“I didn’t get an excellent begin, so at that time I simply wanted to settle into the race. Kyle was sturdy at first of the race. Rory handed me fairly early on as nicely. I used to be completely satisfied to take a seat in third. Lengthy, lengthy race round right here, 30 laps.”
The entrance three breaking away helped the #28 determine on a recreation plan, seeing what may very well be a assured podium on the playing cards:
“Simply ticking off the laps at first of the race, I noticed that we was pulling a niche to fourth, so I knew that us three on the rostrum have been protected, so simply let the laps tick off and was capable of form of make a transfer.
Kyle made a mistake and I used to be capable of get beneath Kyle and at that time I knew I wanted to assault Rory fairly shortly – I felt like I had a bit higher tempo however simply couldn’t cross him the place I wished to, so I made a robust cross into flip three. Then simply obtained into the rhythm.”
Bradley Ray, BSB, 2025, Knockhill
© Ian Hopgood Pictures
As soon as via Ray was capable of to what he does greatest, run his personal tempo on the entrance, to such an extent it seemed he had been sandbagging, shortly pulling out a two second lead with a sequence of quickest laps within the race:
“Obtained into the rhythm that I knew I used to be capable of do and been working via within the practices and within the check, so simply tick the laps off.
It’s lengthy spherical right here – 30 laps -You get a bit bit dizzy in the direction of the top however the bike was working nicely, made a bit step with the bike from qualifying, so I felt a bit bit extra snug.”
Wanting forward, the 2022 BSB champion was positive his rivals would make steps forward of Sunday’s two races, including:
“I feel if it’s dry tomorrow we’ll anticipate extra of the identical, however I feel Rory and Kyle will stick to me in the direction of the top there, make some adjustments and be a bit nearer.
However I loved the battle – I loved making the passes and being handed – that’s what racing is all about, however in the long run we was capable of convey it throughout the road in first for Raceways and for Yamaha.”