BRITISH SUPERBIKES | “Cherry on top” for Ryde at Brands

Our Aussies closed out a challenging season as Kyle Ryde went back-to-back

Kyle Ryde has taken out back-to-back British Superbike Championship titles, delivering the 2025 crown for his Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha team at Brands Hatch at the final round held over 17-19 October.

Ryde clinched the championship by 20 points ahead of Raceways Yamaha’s Bradley Ray to seal the first successful BSB title defence since Shakey Byrne in 2016-17.  “I’m super happy to get another Bennetts BSB championship title under my belt. The feeling is incredible! I only got emotional when I saw Mum and Dad,” Ryde said afterwards. “I could see how much it meant to them. They’ve put in so much time, money, and effort just to get my first one, so to bring home a second title is the cherry on top. This one’s a massive bonus, and any more we get from here are just extra blessings!”

Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) made sure the title wasn’t decided until the final race of the season after fighting through the pack in the opening race, stealing the win from Ray with Ryde completing the podium. “I was too steady at the start,” admitted Redding. “These boys know how to switch it on straight away. I’m like a red wine; I need to age a bit and get going.”

With Ray and Ryde on the limit out front, Redding said he wasn’t prepared to take the same risks and certainly didn’t want to be involved in any incident that impacted the title outcome. “I thought in my head, ‘Try to get past Kyle as soon as you can and just let them do their thing.”

Ray pulled off an improbable second, saying, “The old caffeine gel kicked in with two laps to go. It was nice to have that sort of pace towards the end of the race and claw a couple of points back. But that was all I could do in this situation.”

Ryde started the second race with a 27-point advantage over Ray, but it was Redding who once again prevailed. Crucially, Ryde switched places with Ray to take second and increase the gap to 30 points. Rain began to fall right before the 20-lap decider and Danny Kent took full advantage, battling at the front in treacherous conditions with Ray while Ryde hovered around fifth. Even if Ray won, Ryde would have to finish in 14^th or lower to lose the championship. Ultimately, it was Kent on his McAMS Yamaha who would win the final race, with Ray second and Ryde clinching the title in sixth place.

While the final race may not have been the result he wanted, Ryde managed to sway the momentum of Ray mid-season and scored points in every single race: “The race itself was tough, even with a 30-point lead; anything could’ve happened out there. Conditions were sketchy, no knee slider, slippery track, riders going down all around, but I stayed calm and trusted my pace. Once Dad waved the pit board and I saw the gap, I could finally breathe.”

Aussie Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) finished the year with a 12-11-11 result, saying the bike had similar grip and wheelie issues in the final race as the team had struggled with all year. “At least it gives us some clear information and understanding of what we need to work on during the off-season. There’s no real high to celebrate at Brands, it’s followed the pattern of the year. I feel like we’ve under-performed… there’s been some moments of success but not consistently. We came to Brands with a slightly altered engine spec, but I didn’t feel like there was much of a gain for me. In recent rounds I’ve struggled with some vibration issues and we’ve solved that, which is a positive. I’m fit, healthy and have the bikes in one piece. Both Lee (Jackson) and I have a positive energy and mindset going into next year and the team plans to go testing with new parts and updates for the bike, so we’re all focussed on going better in the future.”

For Billy McConnell, the final round was bittersweet as his Look Forward Racing team wound up their BSB efforts. There was some bad luck straight up, having to purchase a replacement engine from another team and with a second gear ratio found not to be as declared in scrutineering, the team was disqualified from race one. After an 18^th in race two, McConnell fought to a gallant ninth in the wet final race. “I think this has been one of my toughest seasons and we were really hoping Brands might have been a bit smoother, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” McConnell said. “I’m glad I could get a result in the final race. I don’t know my plans yet for the future, but I just want to say a huge thank you to Chris (Fairburn – C & L Fairburn Properties) for all his input and hard work over the years. It’s not often someone comes along and just runs a team like he has. We’ve had some great times and made some fantastic memories!”

Currie desperately close to second title
Ben Currie has fallen short in his bid for a second BSB Supersport title on the Moto Rapido-backed Ducati Panigale V2, finishing just four points behind Suzuki GSX-R 750-mounted Rhys Irwin. Irwin was able to come away with the win in the opening race, finishing a few tenths ahead of Currie in third. Currie responded by closing the year out with an emphatic victory on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough for the title: “It feels impossible to put into words what this season has meant to me. We came agonisingly close to adding a second British title to my name. Four points is all that separated us. I dug so deep and reached new levels. I’m so proud of myself and all of us involved.”

It’s unknown where Currie will ride in 2026, but there have been rumours linking him to a BSB Supersport ride on board a Yamaha R9.
Jayden Martin was unable to compete at Brands Hatch in the Sportbike class due to an injury sustained at Oulton Park, so it was left to Brodie Gawith to fly the Aussie flag. Gawith, who said he had struggled on the McAdam Triumph, switched to the Powerslide Suzuki-prepared GSX8R for the final round, posting an 18-19 result. “I’ve given everything from the very start of pre-season testing in Calafat through every round of the championship this year,” Gawith said prior to Brands. “It’s been a tough season with injuries, arm pump surgery and some mechanical issues along the way – as well as struggling to find a set-up I felt truly comfortable with.” Gawith is expected to continue on the Powerslide Suzuki in 2026.

2025 BSB CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

2025 BRITISH SUPERSPORT STANDINGS