Saturday

Ryan Vickers and Kyle Ryde book Q2 spot after practice

OMG GRILLA Yamaha duo Ryan Vickers and Kyle Ryde secured their place in Qualifying 2 today, concluding Saturday’s Free Practice action at Oulton Park in third and tenth respectively.

Following two days of test action, Ryan Vickers and Kyle Ryde returned to track action today, as Round 2 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship commenced at Oulton Park.

Having found the sweet spot with his R1 around the 2.69-mile circuit during the R&G Official Test, Vickers got up to speed quickly in the opening Practice session. Having completed 16 laps across the day’s first session, the Norfolk-based rider continued his pre-race work in Free Practice 2, trying a different engine map which made a positive impact for the number seven rider.

Setting two sub 1min 34s laps, he continued to push on but a small crash, at Hizzy’s Chicane in which Vickers was unhurt, ended his session three minutes early. Vickers heads into Sunday’s action third on the overall standings and inside the all-important Q2 top 12.

Having worked through his struggles during the test, Kyle Ryde’s Saturday was equally as strong, despite being tenth on the timesheets. The Nottinghamshire rider faced a slight set-up issue in the opening session, so his work really began in Free Practice 2. Using one tyre throughout, he posted a 1:34.221, and concluded his race run just a tenth adrift of his session-best time, leaving a lot of confidence throughout the #77 camp ahead of tomorrow’s Qualifying and opening race.

The team return to the track on Sunday for Qualifying 2 at 13.52 which will set the grid for the 18-lap Bennetts British Superbike race at 16.30.

Ryan Vickers
OMG GRILLA Yamaha Pos: 3^rd | Time: 1:33.869
“Day 1 has been good. The bike in the first session was close but we were missing something which we then found in free practice two. we changed to a different mapping, which was accidental, but it was one of the best things we did because we learnt a lot and have improved a lot in one area. I had a small crash which was just down to flicking between the two maps, but no harm was done. The bike is unreal on both new and old tyres and the times are coming easily which puts us in a good place to fight for the podium.”

Kyle Ryde
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
Pos: 10^th | Time: 1:34.221
“I’ve only really done one session today after the set-up problem which gave us a few rear tyre drop-off issues, but thankfully because of the test, I was straight up to speed this afternoon. We gambled with just one tyre to get through to Q2, and it was a bit closer than I’d have liked, but we’re through, the pace is good enough for the top three so if we can find some one lap speed tonight then we’ll be there for the races.”

Alan Gardner
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Owner

“It’s always nice to get both riders through to Q2 as it just removes an extra element of pressure before the race, so I’m happy about that. The main thing is, both Ryan and Kyle are feeling good on their Yamaha R1s at Oulton Park. Both riders have strong pace on used tyres, in fact, both are lapping in the low 1min 34s towards the end of their race runs, which sets us up nicely for the two longer races. I’m sure both will be in the hunt for more trophies when the lights go out tomorrow afternoon.”

Paul Curran
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Principal

“Ryan was once again on fire today which is a credit to both him and his team for getting him comfortable on the bike during the test. His side of the garage are working well and it’s showing on track. They learnt a lot in the second session and improved some of their weaker points which is positive and puts them in a good position for the races. Although tenth on paper, it doesn’t tell the full story for Kyle. He was hampered in the first session with a small issue which caused more rear tyre wear than anticipated, but the team worked hard to rectify that for the second session. It was a risk sticking to one tyre, but he focused on his race runs and completed eight laps in the 1:34 bracket, which is really strong and puts him in a strong place for tomorrow. Hopefully both riders can qualify well and be in the mix for more strong points in Sunday’s first race.”

Sunday

Lap record and pole position finish for Kyle Ryde

Kyle Ryde delivered a sublime Sunday performance at Oulton Park, taking a lap record pole position and third place in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race.

The OMG GRILLA Yamaha team enjoyed more podium success today, as Kyle Ryde converted his pole position into a hard-fought podium finish at Oulton Park.

Having secured his place directly in Qualifying 2 across Saturday’s Free Practices, Ryde overcame a brief red flag to secure pole position, setting a 1:33.411, 0.209s quicker than Bradley Ray’s lap record set with the team in 2022.

Launching from pole, the Nottinghamshire rider settled into second behind his team-mate but slipped to fourth by the end of the opening lap.

Biding his time, Ryde began his charge forward, passing Vickers at Lodge on lap 12. From there, ‘Youth’ pushed on, looking to make inroads on the Ducatis ahead whilst fending off the oncoming Tommy Bridewell. Pushing to the very end, the number 77 crossed the line in third, marking his third podium in the three races completed this season.

Qualifying on the front row, double-race winner this season Vickers made a blistering start, taking the holeshot on the run into Turn 1.

Looking to break away, Vickers began the fight with the Ducatis of Glenn Irwin and Christian Iddon, both of which muscled their way through.

Matching the scorching pace at the front, the Norfolk-based rider gave all he could before losing a bit of performance from the rear tyre, slipping back to fourth for the final lap. Vickers defended off the challenge of Danny Kent, crossing the line to secure a solid top five.

The duo maintain their positions at the top of the table heading into Bank Holiday Monday’s two races and will start the 12-lap Sprint Race from fifth and sixth.

Kyle Ryde
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
QP: 1st | Time: 1:33.411
Race 1: 3rd | Championship: 2nd (44 points)
“Qualifying was great, a 1min 33.4 is my best-ever lap of Oulton, and I made a bit of a mistake. The speed in the race was crazy, I didn’t think it would be that fast, but I’m happy to be on the podium, bag some more points and I’m ready for more bites at it tomorrow.”

Ryan Vickers
OMG GRILLA Yamaha

QP: 3^rd | Time: 1:33.659
Race 1: 5th | Championship 1st (47 points)
“I started well from the front row, taking the lead from the start. I didn’t know what the pace would be like so I sat in the mid 34’s to then try and up it at the end but when Glenn came past the pace was much quicker. I managed to do a few strong laps, but I couldn’t match it so settled for fifth, more points on the board and we’ll try again tomorrow”

Alan Gardner
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Owner

“It’s been a good day for us at Oulton Park in general. Kyle had a sensational qualifying lapping just over two-tenths quicker than the lap record previously held by Brad Ray, and Ryan put together a good lap to be on the front row. The race was a fast one but both riders gave it their all, fighting all the way for every point which we know counts. Kyle showed his experience and kept his cool, fighting his way through to take a podium finish. Ryan had a strong race too. He got to the front and set some competitive lap times and bagged some strong points with a solid top five, keeping him at the top of the leader board with Kyle second in his own right.”

Paul Curran
OMG GRILLA Yamaha, Team Principal

“We’re pleased with today with Kyle on the podium and Ryan securing a solid top five. We suspected the Ducatis would be stronger here than Navarra, but I think we achieved the best we could today with a podium finish for Kyle. The faster pace slightly caught Ryan out. He had more of a rear drop off which just held him back a fraction, but secured a top five and we maintain our 1-2 in the standings ahead of tomorrow.”

Monday

Ryan Vickers on the podium for OMG Racing at Oulton Park

Ryan Vickers made it two podium visits for the OMG GRILLA Yamaha team at Round 2 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.

OMG GRILLA Yamaha’s Ryan Vickers recovered from a tricky Sprint Race to secure a sensational third place on Bank Holiday Monday at Cheshire’s Oulton Park.

After making solid progress over the weekend, Vickers was unable to replicate the speed shown on Sunday as the lights went out for Monday’s Sprint. Starting from fifth, the Thetford rider didn’t make the getaway he’d hoped for, slipping to eighth at the end of the first lap. Determined to recover the positions, he pushed on, muscling his way past Jason O’Halloran on lap five before having to relinquish the position later on. From there, the number 7 rider tried to find a way through on the BMW’s ahead, but couldn’t find the gap he needed, crossing the line in ninth.

Having posted a strong lap time in the Sprint Race, he’d make a strong getaway from fourth on the grid as the lights went out for the weekend’s final race. Briefly holding second into Turn 1, the R1 rider found himself boxed in, losing the positions he gained in the run to Old Hall Bend.

Keeping his cool, the four-time BSB victor began picking his opponents off one by one, slicing through to fourth by lap three. With a clear track ahead, he tried to conserve his rear tyre before making a launch for the top three places. Consistently quicker than the trio ahead, Vickers set himself up for a stunning final lap move on Danny Kent into Hizzy’s chicane, securing him a position on the podium to cap the weekend.

After a podium finish on Sunday, Ryde was determined for more of the same across Monday’s two races. Starting the 12-lap affair from sixth, the Nottinghamshire rider held ground in the early stages before passing Josh Brookes for fifth. From there, he never looked back, crossing the line to secure more solid points for his title quest.

Starting the final race from ninth, the Yamaha rider again made headway in the early stages as he settled into his rhythm. Working his way through to seventh, he’d set his sights on the riders ahead until a technical issue forced him to retire from the race.

After a thrilling Round 2 of the BSB Championship, Ryan Vickers leaves Oulton Park lying second in the standings, just six points adrift whilst Kyle Ryde heads to his home circuit fifth.

The team will return to action in two weeks’ time at Donington Park for the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.