Kyle Ryde returned to the top step of the British Superbike Championship podium at the TT Circuit Assen, his first victory since race one at Thruxton and the Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing rider did it in dramatic style against Scott Redding and Bradley Ray.
Ryde had been battling with Bradley Ray throughout the race for the lead, but then they had Redding for company too and the formidable three went head-to-head in the closing stages, with an incredible last five laps. The defending champion was passed on the brakes into the chicane, but on the exit he got the better drive and was able to out drag his rivals to the chequered flag.
Ryde said: “I think it was my best start of the weekend and I settled in behind Ryan, well I say settled in, I passed him first lap into the last corner! I then got my head down and I tried to not win the race in those first laps, but make it easier for us three to get to the end and if we end up racing for first, second or third then so be it!
“I did a few fast laps, maybe a little bit too fast, because my tyre wasn’t great towards the end of the race. It was a very fun race to be a part of; as Brad said, I just didn’t want to sit behind for any sort of half a lap, because it was obvious he was going to be faster than me in some parts.
“I didn’t want to play cat and mouse, as in him pull two tenths and me catch it back and then Scott pass me, so whenever he passed me I just went back again, which made the lap time a lot slower. I just tried to keep fighting to get myself to the front.
“I wasn’t looking at the pit board and then before you knew it there was three laps to go and I went so defensive everywhere. As Scott said, the physical side was probably not there because the lap times wasn’t there, but obviously it was just a great race to be a part of. To beat Scott in one of the races after the weekend he had was a good feeling.
“Us three racing each other like that has been brewing. I really enjoyed the race and I bet it was amazing to watch, the last five laps were mental. Now we can look forward to the home round at Donington Park!