OMG GRILLA Yamaha and Kyle Ryde etched their name into the history books today, becoming 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Champions in a nail-biting, action-packed finale at Brands Hatch for the first time since Bradley Ray’s triumph in 2022.
Youth’s Championship-reign went down to the wire in a final lap thriller against Championship rival Tommy Bridewell, with the Yamaha rider coming out on top in the final 20-lap battle.
After splashing his way to fourth in a wet opening encounter on Saturday, the OMG GRILLA Yamaha rider knew that every point mattered, and set out with one objective on Sunday, becoming Bennetts BSB Champion.
Launching from Seventh for the 12 lap sprint, the Jacksdale rider got straight in the mix, blasting to fourth in the opening few corners. Picking his way through the pack, the #77 rider quickly found himself in second, on the back of rival Tommy Bridewell before a titanic battle began.
With the pair trading places corner after corner, Bridewell emerged onto the final lap ahead, with Ryde not giving up just behind. Looking every which way to get by the Yamaha rider was forced to settle for second, crossing the line just 0.257 seconds behind the race winner.
Four points behind going into the final race of the season, there was one clear objective for the Nottinghamshire rider, and that was to win the race.
Making another blistering start to the final race of the year from the middle of the front row, Ryde maintained his position on the run into Paddock Hill bend, before being shuffled back to third amongst the opening lap scrap.
Keeping his cool, the Yamaha rider slipped behind Glenn Irwin, who charged through at Hawthorns before doing battle ahead. With Ryde in the hot seat, “Youth” showed experience, and chose his moments to fight back through the pack.
Passing Andrew Irwin on lap seven, he then set his sights on Bridewell ahead, making his move at Dingle Dell before taking the lead two laps later. As a monstrous battle took place behind, the Yamaha man’s lead opened out to just under a second but was quickly reeled back in as he looked to save his rear tyre.
From there, a carbon copy of the sprint race took place, with the two title protagonists trading places at every opportunity. Eventually passing, and holding the lead on lap 18, Ryde put together two perfect laps to keep Bridewell at bay, despite him throwing everything at it.
But ultimately, Ryde held his nerve and crossed the line 0.296 seconds ahead of his rival, which saw him secure the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship crown by one point.
After a podium finish on Saturday, team-mate Ryan Vickers aimed for a strong finish to his time in BSB, and with the OMG GRILLA Yamaha team.
Starting his final day of race action from second, Vickers looked to get in the early fight, but struggled to maintain the electric pace the two riders ahead were setting. Able to extend a lead to the riders behind, the Thetford rider crossed the line for a second podium of the weekend, finishing the 12-lap race in third.
Getting off to a strong start to the final BSB race, the 25-year-old looked set to battle amongst the leading group, but a huge moment on the exit of Graham Hill Bend when passing Andrew Irwin left him detached from the leaders.
Working his way to third, the Yamaha rider began closing the gap to the battling duo ahead, but crossed the line for another superb podium, rounding off his weekend with three podiums aboard the Yamaha R1 machine.
Kyle Ryde’s 2024 season has seen him take nine trips to the top of the podium, and nine further finishes inside the top three, with Vickers taking seven victories and six podiums this year, seeing him round out the season in fifth overall. The OMG GRILLA Yamaha Team also ended the year on top of the CERATIZIT Team’s trophy, whilst Yamaha were crowned manufacturer’s champions.
The OMG GRILLA Yamaha team and Kyle Ryde now head to Jerez to take on their FIM Superbike World Championship wild-card in the series’ final round.
Kyle Ryde
OMG GRILLA Yamaha
Race 2: 2nd
Race 3: 1st
Championship: 1st (487 points)
“It was a good day. Well hard fought and it was close all day between me and Tommy. At least 50 passes were made between us both. I watched the race from this morning and I tried to defend into Stirlings but he still managed to find a way past me a few times. But I did something right on the last lap to keep him behind me. Pace was incredible, Tommy set a new lap record [even though] it was about six degrees outside. Great day. British Superbike Champion. Not sunk in yet, but it will do.”
OMG GRILLA Yamaha and Kyle Ryde etched their name into the history books today, becoming 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Champions in a nail-biting, action-packed finale at Brands Hatch for the first time since Bradley Ray’s
Official Kyle Ryde website of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Champion