Bradley Ray was back on the top step of the podium in the latest Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Caldwell Park this afternoon, but boy was it close.

It’s the first victory for Ray in the last five races having dominated the opening rounds of the season. 

The rider from Lydd looked to be managing the gap to Tommy Bridewell and Kyle Ryde for the majority of the race only for Bridewell to crash out on lap ten.

This then freed championship rival Ryde to set about chasing down Ray, and that’s exactly what he did, take time out of him on every lap to cross the line just 0.087s behind.

It does mean that Ray increases his championship lead by a further couple of points to take it to 28 points ahead of the sprint race and longer race on Bank Holiday Monday.

If the race this afternoon is anything to go by tomorrow is going to be another belter. Ray will start the opening race of Sunday from pole position.

Speaking after the race a relieved Ray said: “To be honest the pace was phenomenal, the first few laps were in the 25s and I was comfortable with that and I thought I’d just keep pushing on at the start but the lap times were stupidly fast and the gap wasn’t really growing, I think it was about 2.1 seconds and Kyle (Ryde) started to reel me in towards the end.

“I was pushing on and I think the start of the race hindered the tyre and the last three laps I backed off to save something for the last lap of the race.

“I defended really well, and I knew it was hard to pass, so I just had to do the best I could up the back straight and defend as best as I could in the areas where I knew he could pass and bring it home.

“We have a few things to improve for tomorrow. I haven’t been back here for a few years since 2022, so it was an important race with a lot of data gained and we’ll have another crack at it tomorrow.”

Images courtesy of British Superbike Championship