McAMS Yamaha concluded a highly productive two-day private test at the Circuito de Andalucía yesterday, making an impressive start to their 2026 campaign preparations as the new season draws closer.

The Spanish test saw Brad Ray make his long-awaited return to the Yamaha R1 – marking his first time on track aboard the superbike since Mugello late last year. Ray wasted little time shaking off the winter cobwebs, quickly finding his rhythm and setting the tone on the opening day with lap-record contending pace while working through a structured test plan.

After finishing runner-up in the 2025 British Superbike Championship in a sensational campaign saw him win more races than any other rider, Ray returns to race action later this year with his sights firmly set on winning races and challenging for the title.

Two days in the south of Spain gave the crew a golden opportunity to build momentum ahead of official testing next month. With a strong couple of days now complete, the team are well on their way to beginning the season in competitive style.

The eagerly anticipated pre-season outing marked the first time the race-specification Yamaha R9 has been rolled out in race trim, with Ben Currie and Harry Truelove both making strides in refining the proven Supersport package as it prepares for its British Championship debut this year.

The team’s Spanish test provided valuable time to evaluate a range of components and build familiarity with the characteristics of the twin-cylinder machine – which is set to make its competitive debut in the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship later this year.

Both Currie and Truelove leave Andalucía with a clear development direction and a stronger understanding of what will be required to extract the full potential of the R9. The duo completed an abundance of purposeful laps throughout Wednesday and Thursday, posting competitive lap times around the 3.12-mile circuit.

With positive momentum behind them, the pair now look ahead to the first official test of the year at Donington Park in early April, where a further two days on track will present another opportunity to build on the gains made in Spain.

With the team now back on UK soil, attention turns firmly to the official test on 3–4 April.

Brad Ray
McAMS Yamaha, British Superbike Rider
“It was fantastic to be back out in Spain and get some time on the McAMS Yamaha R1. We covered a lot of ground over the two days, testing a wide range of components and gathering valuable data on the Superbike package. We’re definitely heading in the right direction as we approach the first official test of the year at Donington Park, and I’m looking forward to using that as another opportunity to make further progress before the season gets underway. A big thank you to the entire team for their hard work and dedication throughout the test.”

Ben Currie
McAMS Yamaha, Quattro Group British Supersport Rider
“We’ve just wrapped up a really productive test on the race-spec McAMS Yamaha R9 – and what a feeling! I’m pleased with the progress the team and I made across the two days, and confident that we’re heading in the right direction as the season draws closer. There are always areas to work on, but that’s exactly what testing is for. We’ll arrive at Donington Park with a solid foundation and a clear plan to extract even more from the package ahead of round one at Oulton Park.”

Harry Truelove
McAMS Yamaha, Quattro Group British Supersport Rider
“It’s been a really enjoyable couple of days getting to grips with the McAMS Yamaha R9. My initial impressions are positive, the bike is a pleasure to ride, and it’s clear we have a strong package beneath us as the season approaches. The team worked tirelessly to improve my confidence throughout the two days, and I’m sure that feeling will only grow as we continue our preparations at Donington Park in a few weeks’ time. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Steve Rodgers
McAMS Yamaha, Team Principal”
“It was great to bring the whole team together for the first time – having both the R1 and R9 sides of the squad united in one place proved really valuable ahead of the first official test of the year. Brad, Ben and Harry are all pleased with the progress made across the two days, and we’re in a strong position to build on that further when we get to Donington Park. Thanks to the team for all their hard work over the last two days, now, the preparations begin for Donington Park on April 3-4.”