Ryan Vickers and the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing team won the opening race of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Circuito de Navarra, snatching the lead with three laps to go from his teammate Kyle Ryde in the fastest pass into a corner in the series history.
The leading group was initially a five-way freight train with the Yamahas heading the pack as Vickers held the advantage from Ryde, Danny Kent on the McAMS Racing Yamaha, Hager PBM Ducati’s Glenn Irwin and Rory Skinner for the Cheshire Mouldings BMW Motorrad team.
As the race progressed the Yamaha trio had the edge over Irwin and on lap four Ryde moved into the lead with a move at turn nine on his teammate. Two laps later and Vickers dropped to third with a small mistake, which gave Kent the opportunity he needed to move ahead. He was able to reclaim the position by lap 14 and then he had Ryde in his sights.
Ryde held the lead until the 18th lap when Vickers went for a huge move into the fastest corner on the calendar at turn one and then he was able to set a pace to give him an advantage at the chequered flag.
Ryde was able to hold the edge over Kent who claimed the McAMS Racing Yamaha team their first ever Bennetts BSB podium finish in third place, with Irwin holding fourth for Hager PBM Ducati and Skinner completing the top five.
Christian Iddon finished sixth after a big battle for the position ahead of Max Cook, Tommy Bridewell, who had fought his way through from 13th on the grid for Honda Racing UK, Charlie Nesbitt, Jason O'Halloran and Leon Haslam.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Circuito de Navarra, Race 1 result:
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Racing Yamaha)
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Racing Yamaha) +1.364s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +2.152s
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +6.459s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings BMW Motorrad) +9.792s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +14.599s
- Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +14.658s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +14.822s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +14.927s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +15.395s
For the full race result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 18
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 16
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 14
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 12
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings BMW Motorrad) 11
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 10
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 9
- Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 8
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 7
- Jason O'Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 6
For the full standings click here