Ryan Vickers secures Q2 spot on BSB return

Ryan Vickers marked his Bennetts British Superbike Championship return today at Knockhill by securing his place in tomorrow’s second Qualifying session, ending the only bit of dry running 12th fastest. OMG GRILLA Yamaha team-mate Kyle Ryde sat out of the opening practice, after waking up with a sickness bug, but returned to complete some crucial wet-weather laps in the second outing.

Ryan Vickers secured his place in Q2 tomorrow, posting the 12th fastest time in the day’s only dry action. With overhanging grey clouds, Vickers ventured out for his first laps since Donington Park but was cut short as the rain began to fall. Sitting 12th when the session came to a halt, no further lap time improvements meant the number seven rider is directly into Qualifying 2 tomorrow.

The second session continued the wet trend, with rain continuing to fall on the 1.2-mile venue. Feeling much better on his R1, he sat comfortably towards the top of the timesheets before posting the second quickest time in the closing stages.

For team-mate Kyle Ryde, it wasn’t the Friday he had hoped for after being sidelined for Free Practice 1 with a sickness bug. Despite still feeling under the weather, Ryde returned to the track in the second session and steadily improved his time, ultimately finishing 20th 1.591 seconds adrift of the session’s quickest time.

The OMG GRILLA Yamaha team will return to action on Saturday morning for Free Practice 3 ahead of Qualifying and Race 1.

Ryan Vickers
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
Combined Practice: 12th (48.877)
“It was good to get some laps in today at Knockhill, some dry laps too in the first session. I feel good on the bike after my injury and we’re through to Q2 which is important. We were steady away, then went out in the wet and the bike felt amazing and brought back the memories of the wins in the wet last year. I’m glad to be back with the team and we can get back on the Championship hunt.”

Kyle Ryde
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
Combined Practice: 28th (53.914)
“I’m happy to have got some laps in this afternoon after missing the first session. I woke up with some sort of sickness this morning, but thanks to the BSB medics, I was able to get out this afternoon for some laps. We know where we can improve to get some more speed out of the bike in the wet conditions.”

Alan Gardner
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Owner

“It’s been a mixed opening day at Knockhill with a bit of dry track time and then really heavy rain, but both riders got some important laps under their belt. Ryan’s through to Q2, and he’s feeling good physically and on the bike which is important. Kyle missed Practice 1 due to a sickness bug, but it was great to see him back on track in the second session. He’ll get some rest tonight and hopefully feel much better for tomorrow’s action.”

Paul Curran
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Principal

“The weather gave us a challenge today with Practice 1 starting dry with heavy rain interrupting the session. Ryan felt good in both conditions, even though he didn’t get too many laps in the dry. He’s through to Q2 which is the main thing. Kyle woke up this morning feeling really under the weather and sat out the first practice to enable himself to give it a go in FP2. He managed to get some laps under his belt and will hopefully be back to full fitness tomorrow.”

Kyle Ryde bags valuable points on Sunday at Knockhill

Kyle Ryde was flying the flag solo for the OMG GRILLA Yamaha team today after Ryan Vickers was ruled out of action with illness. The Nottinghamshire rider brought his R1 home in two wet races, finishing in 14^th and 15^th place respectively.

After a stunning fourth-place finish in the drying conditions on Saturday, Kyle Ryde faced two sodden races at Knockhill on Sunday, as he lined up as the sole OMG GRILLA Yamaha rider.

Posting the sixth fastest time in Race 1, Ryde started the 20-lap sprint race from fifth – having gained a grid spot given Vickers’ illness – and looked to settle into the race. Still sore from his Qualifying spill, which resulted in a twisted left knee, Youth continued to push on in the difficult conditions, and ultimately brought his R1 home in 14^th, bagging two valuable points for his title affair.

With conditions remaining wet for Sunday’s final 30-lap race, a 19^th place grid start left him with some work to do. Improving the feeling of his R1 having missed some valuable track time on Friday, Ryde felt good, but vision issues in the misty conditions held him back. Working his way up to 17^th by the midway stage, ‘Youth’ inherited 16^th from Andrew Irwin, before a red flag incident for a rider ahead eventually promoted him to 15^th.

For team-mate Ryan Vickers, it wasn’t quite the welcome return to action he had hoped for, after crashing out of Saturday’s race and coming down with an illness overnight. Despite the best efforts of Ryan, the team and the medics, Vickers was unable to line up on the grid.

The team will return to base before preparation begins for Round 5 at Snetterton on 5-7^th July.

Kyle Ryde
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
Race 2: 14th | Race 3: 15th
Championship: 5th (110 points)
“I’m happy that we got a good result yesterday and limited the damage a little bit given today’s results weren’t anything to shout about. However, with that said, after waking up this morning I knew it was going to be difficult. It wasn’t the fastest, or smoothest day, but we’re leaving with a couple of points which, you never know, might prove useful come Brands Hatch in October. Thanks to the team, the fans for braving the conditions, the BSB medics and Becky from BTST Osteopathy for helping me get through it.”

Alan Gardner
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Owner

“It certainly wasn’t the simplest of weekends for us! But, with that said there are lots of positives to come away from Knockhill with. Kyle achieved three really important, and heroic point finishes and is fifth in the standings. Unfortunately, Ryan came down with a sick bug last night and despite his best efforts just wasn’t able to race today. It’s a shame as his weekend started strongly and his return to action didn’t end how he’d have hoped. We all wish him the best and can’t wait to have him back at Snetterton.”

Paul Curran
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Principal

“After the weekend Kyle has had, three point finishes are the least he deserves. The conditions were not easy today, but he used his experience to bring the bike home and keep adding up the points. Ryan was determined to bounce back after yesterday, but unfortunately, an illness cut his return short. It’s a shame, but we know he’ll be back strong at Snetterton.”