The 2026 British Superbike Championship gets underway this weekend, and Bradley Ray is keen to get back on track racing.

Ray who finished runner-up in the 2025 championship, is keen to go one better with his McAMS Yamaha and to the title he won in 2022.

For Ray, the upcoming triple header at Oulton Park marks a significant moment, as the 28-year-old looks to set the tone for a promising 2026 campaign. 

Last season saw the Yamaha supported R1 rider deliver an exceptional effort, claiming 12 victories and 22 podium finishes – only narrowly missing out on the title. 

This year, back in the saddle and hungrier than ever, Ray heads into the weekend with a productive testing period behind him and a clear desire to fight for top honours. 

That confidence is backed by a strong showing at the venue just one week ago. Demonstrating pace from the outset, Ray became the first rider to post a 1:33 lap time across the two days on track and ended the test inside the top three as the final pre-season outing drew to a close. 

Already well acquainted with the characteristics of the championship-winning Yamaha R1, this year’s pre-season testing has focused on extracting further performance from the machine – with the aim of hitting the ground running at what promises to be a crucial opening weekend. 

Ray heads into the bank holiday season opener in confident mood, drawing on a strong record at the Cheshire circuit. He has himself singled out last year’s second race during the championship’s latter visit to the venue as one of the finest performances of his career – an exceptional victory secured from 14th on the grid in just eight laps of the 2.6-mile circuit. 

For Ray, two 18-lap races and a single 12-lap sprint lie ahead, and with them, comes three crucial opportunities to bag his first points of the year. 

Speaking ahead of the season opener, Ray said: “I’m excited to get back to work with the guys at McAMS Yamaha this weekend. It’s been a long winter, so it feels good to finally get back to racing.

“Pre-season has been a positive one for us, we’ve made some steps forward with the Yamaha R1 and my feeling heading into the weekend is positive. Oulton is a circuit I love riding; it’s fast, flowing and suits my riding style.

“We showed last year what we’re capable of there – that Race 2 win was one of the best feelings I’ve had with the R1, and I’m looking forward to finding that same feeling again this weekend. We’ll head into the weekend with the goal of making it a season opener to remember.” 

Images courtesy of Colin Port