Scott Redding returned to winning ways in the first of four Bennetts British Superbike Championship races at Donington Park this weekend, scoring his second victory of the season for Hager PBM Ducati as Kyle Ryde extended his advantage to 11 points over Bradley Ray in the title standings.
Redding launched into the lead at the start of the race from the Omologato Pole Position with Ryde in tow on the Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha, but the defending champion made some early attempts to seize the advantage, but the 2019 champion held strong at the front.
In the closing stages, Redding was able to edge out an advantage over Ryde, who increased his lead in the title fight as Bradley Ray claimed a ninth place for Raceways Yamaha after what has been a challenging weekend so far for the 2022 champion.
Rory Skinner emerged on top in the battle for third for Cheshire Mouldings Ducati; he fought a race-long tussle with a determined Danny Kent and Andrew Irwin, who made it a battle of three manufacturers for the final podium position. The McAMS Racing Yamaha rider held fourth from Andrew Irwin as Glenn Irwin had his best result with the Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha team in sixth place.
Tommy Bridewell had worked his way into seventh place, the 2023 champion holding off the fight from Leon Haslam on the Moto Rapido Ducati Racing and Ray, with Christian Iddon completing the top ten for AJN Steelstock Kawasaki.
The race ended with a red flag when John McPhee suffered a technical issue, subsequently crashing out at Redgate.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 1 result:
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati)
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +1.022s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +4.388s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +4.727s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +5.052s
- Glenn Irwin (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +6.070s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +6.321s
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +7.007s
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) +7.405s
- Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki), +7.700s
Click here for full result.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) 300
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 289
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) 200
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) 194
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 194
- Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 178
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 175
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 151
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 140
- Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) 134
Click here for full standings