Kyle Ryde celebrated his first victory of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship in the eBay Sprint race at Donington Park, taking the chequered flag just 0.038s ahead of Jason O'Halloran as the fight for the win went down to the wire in a thrilling final lap.
The first eBay Sprint race didn’t disappoint as it became a last lap dog fight for the win between Ryde and O’Halloran, who were both targeting their first race victory of the season.
Rory Skinner had taken the initial advantage at the start after an incredible move around the outside into Redgate for the first time to put the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki ahead. Pole sitter O’Halloran and the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha pairing of Ryde and Ray led the chasing pack.
A lap later and O’Halloran grabbed the lead with a move on Skinner into Redgate, but behind them, the teammates were scrapping for third after Ray moved ahead of Ryde at Redgate on the third lap.
Championship leader Ray then had his turn at the front by lap six, as he carved his way through, but two laps later, his Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha teammate Ryde had claimed the position.
Ryde then held the lead, despite coming under immense pressure from Ray and O’Halloran plus the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki pairing of Lee Jackson and Skinner. Jackson and O’Halloran had a huge dice for position, and on lap ten, it was so close that it cost the pair time, which also meant that Glenn Irwin was then in the mix.
Ryde was determined at the front; meanwhile O’Halloran had regained ground and was into second with three laps to go ahead of Ray. The McAMS Yamaha had his sights firmly set on Ryde ahead of him, closing him down onto the final lap when he made a move at the Old Hairpin, but his rival fought back.
Ryde led O’Halloran into Roberts Chicane as the pair were side-by-side and it was a drag to the line between the pair in a dramatic finish, where the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider emerged ahead.
Ray completed the podium ahead of Jackson and Glenn Irwin who completed the top five. Meanwhile Christian Iddon scored a sixth place finish for Buildbase Suzuki as he holds joint position in the eBay Fast Forward Award after making up eight positions from his starting place on the grid.
Skinner finished seventh ahead of Tommy Bridewell on the leading Ducati with Peter Hickman and returning champion Tarran Mackenzie completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, eBay Sprint Race result:
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha)
- Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.038s
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +1.143s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +2.306s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +5.908s
- Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +6.246s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +7.401s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +8.152s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +8.278s
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +10.659s
For the full result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 118
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 107
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 106
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 95
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 93
- Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 80
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 64
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 54
For the full standings please click here