A red flag denied the British Superbike fans a grandstand finish to race one, as Kyle Ryde took the win in the opening race of the weekend.

Scott Redding had got into the lead in the early laps and was riding well, but Ryde came back and overtook him with seven to go. The pair had dropped third place Max Cook and the rest of the field.

This meant that they could fight each other, and with two laps to go Redding was catching Ryde and it looked like it was going to be a spectacular fight for the win, but a red flag came out due to a Eugene McManus crash going into turn one.

McManus was assessed and stabilised at the circuit by the BSB medical team before being transferred to hospital by for further assessment and investigation. He remained conscious throughout. At this stage, he is suspected to have sustained fractures to his right shoulder blade (scapula), right arm, and left leg.

Max Cook claimed the final place on the podium as the AJN Steelstock bimota rider continues building momentum.

Leon Haslam was fourth after a fierce five-way scrap throughout the race; the Moto Rapido Racing rider held off Christian Iddon, Ryan Vickers, Glenn Irwin and Bradley Ray onboard the special anniversary liveried McAMS Yamaha following an intense tussle. Rory Skinner and Lee Jackson completed the top ten.

Home favourite Bradley Ray had a poor opening race of the weekend, having started in fifth place he was hoping to push forward but just couldn’t keep pace with those in front. After the race he said they had made a change after qualifying but it hadn’t helped him and he couldn’t ride the race he wanted, and it was back the drawing board overnight.

Speaking after race one, Ryde said: “For me, the first 12 laps I wouldn’t have been able to do Scott’s speed if I was out front. It was a very fast start of the race, there was no way I was going to pass Scott as he was going too fast really!

“I was trying to save a bit of the tyre and like Scott said, he made a mistake and the gap shrunk instantly. I did a really good lap and I was back on him. I had a really good run out of the last corner and thought ‘why not’ and then did four or five qualifying laps to stretch a little bit.

“Unfortunately the red flag came out so we’ve not got the battle we wanted but we have two more races tomorrow and the main thing is I hope Eugene makes a speedy recovery and we’ll go again tomorrow.” 

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