Kyle Ryde claimed his place in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown for the first time at Snetterton as the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider withstood the pressure to deliver the results that would see him cement a top eight position.
Ryde had been precariously holding eighth in the standings ahead of Snetterton, but a weekend that included a return to the podium in the eBay Sprint Race was enough to hold off the opposition and in doing so qualify as a Title Fighter for the first time. Now the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha contender has his sights set on ending his season on a high and carry the momentum to Cheshire.
Ryde said: “It was the best thing to get into the Showdown. It was a massive bonus just to get in and I dealt with the pressure at Snetterton pretty well I think, as it was massive. I qualified on the front row and I got a third place got me what I needed.
“I don’t really know what to expect from the Showdown as I haven’t been in one before. I know both me and Brad were fast at Oulton Park the last time we were there and then we have Donington Park, which is my favourite track and Brands Hatch, which is good for the Yamaha too.”
“I am going to take it as it comes; points make prizes as they say, so we need to be consistent. I have been quite strong at some of the tracks this year, but found others more difficult. I expected to be in the Showdown when we started this year but I didn’t expect it to be this hard!
“I am happy to be in the Showdown so let’s see what we can do at these next three rounds.”