Bradley Ray wanted a radio to explain “we’re getting caught” in BSB race one at Oulton Park

Bradley Ray was back on a Yamaha, now McAMS branded, and keen to go one better than his runner-up performance in 2025, showing his intent with a rapid start in the first race of the first BSB weekend at Oulton Park, taking the lead at turn one.

The 2022 champion was then drawn into a battle for the remaining podium places. As old rival Kyle Ryde got a dream start with a win, Ray was happy to podium in third - winning the same race last year did not take the number 28 to the title.

“It’s always nice to start the year with a podium. I feel like I got a little bit more in the tank from mid-race onwards, but yeah, it was just difficult to sort of make a pass.

That’s how it is around here, even on the same bike, it’s difficult to make a pass” Ray revealed to British Superbikes after the opening race in the press call that followed.

Ray went on to explain that he and Haslam should have been clear, having broken form an early top six, but Storm Stacey finished right on their tale after a strong comeback in the closing laps, endangering their stranglehold on the rostrum spots.

“So I tried lining up Leon, got through once and then he passed me back…it was just try and hang in there, try and stay on the podium and bring it home for the boys.

Got a little bit of work to do for tomorrow, but yeah, hopefully change strategy a little bit and try and get closer to Kyle”.

The Kent based rider quipped that a radio would have been useful to encourage the number 91 to work with him and go faster as they came under that late attack from the Bathams AJN bike, adding:

“I could see my pit board coming down. I wish I had a radio ‘cause I could speak to Leon and say ‘come on up it, up the pace a little bit, We’re getting caught’ - but it was good. We managed to bring it home in third, so a good start to the year.”

Ray has two more chances to add to his winning tally at Oulton Park, having taken the race one win at the first visit to Oulton Park last May, before going on to take the sprint win on the second visit for the Showdown later in 2025.