Bradley Ray hoping to relive “best feeling with the Yamaha” at 2026 BSB opener

Former BSB champion Bradley Ray is entering this weekend’s season-opening round at Oulton Park (2–4 May) in an optimistic mood after making “steps forward” to his bike during preseason testing.

Ray comes into this weekend after finishing the final test of the preseason, also at Oulton Park on 21–22 April, third-fastest behind the Ducatis of Kyle Ryde and Scott Redding.

Ray told Crash.net after the test that he was trying to find a new direction with the bike he finished runner-up in the standings with last year, but Oulton Park is a circuit he’s generally excelled at in his BSB career and the Kent rider feels that his Race 2 win from 14th on the grid during last year’s October round at the Cheshire circuit was one of his best performances on the Yamaha.

“I'm excited to get back to work with the guys at McAMS Yamaha this weekend,” said Bradley Ray ahead of the 2026 season opener.

“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.”

A win at Oulton Park this weekend would be Ray’s 24th in BSB. All but two of his victories have been with Yamaha, and four of them have come at Oulton Park.