Brad Ray was back on the podium as the British Superbikes returned from a four-week break at Knockhill last weekend.

It was a brace of second places for the rider from Lydden, and a DNF from the three races on the series return to Fife.

He was having a strong weekend by recent standards aboard the Yamaha R1. He was running comfortably in second place behind Kyle Ryde when four laps from home in race one he has to pull the bike into the pits with a technical problem.

Race two was a rinse and repeat for Ryde, Ray and Scott Redding. As the front two dropped Redding in the 20 lap race a little. Ray couldn’t quite find the pace to get past Ryde and take his first win of the season but second represented his best result of the season so far.

The final race of the weekend saw Brad start from pole position. He got the hole shot and managed to keep Redding at bay for three laps or so before he swept past. A red flag for Danny Kent mechanical neutralised things and they headed back to the pits.

When the race restarted over 25 laps, Ray from second this time got the hole shot, this time he managed to lead and run his lines for 14 laps.

Unfortunately, on lap 15 Redding managed to get past, and he moved off a little with better grip than Ray and Ryde. Ray did manage to go with him and kept him honest before settling for second place in the last few laps.

It is a good return for the McAMS Yamaha man and give him confidence heading to Snetterton in two weeks’ time, where he will look to continue working his way back into the championship fight.

Speaking after the weekend, a pleased Ray said: “I’m super happy with my weekend aboard the Yamaha R1 at Knockhill – we gave it our all and I’m proud of the effort. It was nice to start the final race of the weekend from pole position and settle into my own rhythm.

“We made a good start, but Scott was able to maintain the pace he had all weekend, and for me, it was too much of an ask to be able to stick with him and fight for the win.

“We have to be proud of what we achieved, taking the fight to the red bikes all weekend. I’m proud of the team, they put in a great shift this weekend and now, we look ahead to Snetterton.”

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