Ryde Extends Championship Lead After Dramatic Oulton Park Weekend

The 2026 ZYN British Superbike Championship delivered another spectacular weekend of racing at Oulton Park, with lap records tumbling, intense wheel-to-wheel battles and championship leader Kyle Ryde strengthening his title advantage after claiming two victories from three thrilling races.

The weekend began with a sensational qualifying session as Max Cook etched his name into the record books by setting the fastest British Superbike lap ever recorded at Oulton Park. Riding the AJN Steelstock bimota, Cook produced a blistering 1:32.662 on his final flying lap, eclipsing the previous benchmark set by Ryde just a day earlier.

Qualifying proved to be one of the closest sessions of the season, with the top 11 riders separated by less than eight-tenths of a second. Storm Stacey briefly held provisional pole aboard the Bathams AJN Racing Ducati after setting the fastest lap of the weekend, but Cook responded when it mattered most to secure the AJN Steelstock bimota’s first-ever Omologato Pole Position.

Bradley Ray completed the front row for McAMS Yamaha, while Leon Haslam narrowly missed out after being pushed back to fourth. Joe Talbot celebrated his strongest qualifying performance of the season in fifth, with Scott Redding rounding out the second row.

Ray Triumphs After Six-Rider Battle

Race One immediately lived up to expectations as Cook converted pole position into the early lead, heading teammate Joe Talbot into the opening corner while Bradley Ray slotted into third.

The leading group quickly became a six-rider battle featuring Cook, Ray, Storm Stacey, Leon Haslam, Ryan Vickers and Scott Redding, with defending champion Kyle Ryde charging through the field after starting from tenth on the grid.

Ray steadily worked his way forward before taking the race lead on lap eight, only for Stacey to briefly fight back aboard the Ducati. The constant lead changes highlighted just how closely matched the front runners were throughout the race.

As the closing stages approached, Ray found another level. A brave move around the outside of Haslam at Lodge before carrying the momentum into Old Hall allowed the McAMS Yamaha rider to reclaim the lead, while Ryde continued carving through the field to move into podium contention.

Ray remained composed under relentless pressure over the closing laps to secure victory, with Ryde completing a superb recovery ride to finish second after overtaking Haslam late in the race. Haslam completed the podium ahead of Stacey.

There was heartbreak for pole-sitter Cook, who looked set for a top-five finish before suffering a high-speed crash at Cascades with only three laps remaining.

Scott Redding crossed the line fifth ahead of Ryan Vickers, Joe Talbot, Jason O’Halloran, Christian Iddon and Glenn Irwin.

Ryde Strikes Back In Race Two

Race Two saw Bradley Ray once again launch into the early lead, while Scott Redding settled into second and Ryde began another determined charge from eighth position.

The reigning champion wasted little time slicing through the field, climbing into fourth by lap four before a Safety Car period following separate crashes for Graeme Irwin and Josh Brookes dramatically reset the contest.

The restart provided Ryde with the perfect opportunity. He immediately attacked Redding before closing rapidly on Ray, setting up a tense battle for victory over the closing laps.

On the penultimate lap, Ryde made his decisive move at Island, taking the lead from Ray before expertly defending his position to the chequered flag. Ray settled for second, while Redding celebrated his return to the podium in third.

Ryan Vickers finished fourth ahead of Max Cook, who bounced back from his Race One disappointment, while impressive rookie Joe Talbot continued his strong weekend with another sixth-place finish. Jason O’Halloran, Storm Stacey, Glenn Irwin and Christian Iddon completed the top ten.

Ryde Completes Double Victory

The final race of the weekend produced yet another captivating contest as Bradley Ray made a lightning getaway from pole position to lead into the opening corner ahead of Scott Redding and Kyle Ryde.

Redding soon found a way past Ray to take control of the race, while Ryde patiently positioned himself behind the leading pair before overtaking Ray on lap five to move into second.

As Redding attempted to break clear, a small mistake at Hislops proved costly. Ryde immediately capitalised, carrying superior momentum into Knickerbrook to snatch the lead in a decisive championship-defining move.

From there, the defending champion controlled the race to secure his second consecutive victory of the weekend and complete an outstanding double at Oulton Park.

Redding held on for second to claim another podium finish, while Ray completed the top three after another consistent performance.

Ryan Vickers crossed the line fourth after fending off intense late-race pressure from Leon Haslam and Max Cook, with Rory Skinner recovering well from his Race Two crash to finish seventh. Storm Stacey, Ilya Mikhalchik and Lee Jackson rounded out the top ten.

Championship Battle Tightens

The Oulton Park weekend proved pivotal in the championship fight, with Ryde emerging as the biggest winner after collecting two victories and a second-place finish.

His outstanding weekend extends his lead in the standings to 304 points, opening a 30-point advantage over Scott Redding, who moves into second on 274 points. Bradley Ray remains third with 215 points, while Leon Haslam, Max Cook and Ryan Vickers continue to keep themselves firmly in championship contention as the 2026 British season heads towards its next round.

Picture Credits:

Bourne Photo | Snorthmotorsportphotography