It was a double podium for Lydd’s Bradley Ray at the opening round of the Bennett’s British Superbike season at Silverstone at the weekend.

Ray looked to be in good form going into the opening weekend of the 2022 championship after a positive pre-season test. 

That showed as both he and Kyle Ryde lined up on the front row for race one on Saturday, behind pole man Glenn Irwin.

That was how the trio would finish as well with the three on the podium after an enthralling race one. 

Speaking after his third place finish a pleased Ray said: “That was good fun. Apart from just one small moment at Woodcote when I nearly tagged Kyle, the race was a real fair battle. I tried to lead Kyle back to Glenn but we we’re stronger in different places and he passed me fair and square to take the challenge on.

“After almost clipping Kyle I lost a couple of tenths on him and in the end third was the best I had but felt very at home on my Yamaha R1. I’m happy with my performance and the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team, who put a fantastic bike underneath me. We’ll be looking to go one or two steps higher tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

Sunday looked as though it was going to be really good for Ray. He started from second on the grid and lead from the first corner. 

It looked as though he was getting away and looking comfortable but with eight laps to go he slid out from the lead with Glenn Irwin chasing him down from behind. 

He did however start on pole position in race three as he netted the fastest lap of the first race on Sunday.

Again he looked to get a good start and was in the lead heading towards the first corner. He was then swallowed up into the pack and he dropped down to sixth place before he regrouped and picked his way back through to the podium places.

From there he got passed Andrew Irwin and into second but with the laps ticking down he just couldn’t catch the elder Irwin sibling as he settled for an excellent second place. 

It leaves Ray in fifth place in the championship standings as the season heads to Oulton Park in two weeks time. 

Speaking after the weekend, Ray said: “It was massively disappointing to crash out of the race in such a strong position so I was keen to make up for that in race three. 

“The team did an awesome job in getting my Yamaha R1 back in shape to start from pole for the first time in a while so a big thanks to them. Glenn Irwin did a great job, it was his day again today but ours will come, that’s for sure.”