In a weekend that promised so much, luck was in short supply for Ryan Vickers and the RAF Reserve Kawasaki team during the second round of the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship as ninth place and two crashes meant they left their local Snetterton circuit with just seven points to show for their efforts.

 
The Thetford rider had to contend with strong, blustery winds all weekend, particularly during free practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday, but he performed excellently especially in the latter where he posted the ninth fastest time less than half a second adrift of pole position man Danny Buchan.
 
However, with Andrew Irwin forced to start from the back of the grid, the 21-year old was promoted up the order one spot and so lined up for Saturday’s first race in eighth place and in the middle of the third row, a good start seeing him complete the first of the 14 laps in seventh place.
 
The safety car was immediately called into action though due to a crash involving Andrew Irwin and it was on the fourth lap when racing resumed, Ryan dropping back to eighth after Tommy Bridewell overhauled him. A lap later this had become ninth and this was where he stayed for the remainder of the race for another strong top ten finish.
 
With the 11th fastest lap, Ryan started Sunday’s opening race, held over the slightly longer distance of 16 laps, from the fourth row but he immediately moved up into the top ten after making a good getaway on the Kawasaki ZX-10RR.
 
A lap later this became ninth and on lap seven he overhauled Jason O’Halloran to move up another place to eighth and well on course for another top ten finish. However, it proved to be unlucky lap 13 for Ryan as Andrew Irwin made a bold overtaking attempt around the outside at Coram Curve and took his front wheel from him, both riders crashing out.
 
Starting the third and final race of the weekend from seventh place, Ryan was hoping to end the weekend on a high note but, unfortunately, his race was over before it had really got going as he high-sided out of the action at the chicane at the end of the opening lap, fortunately without injury.
 
“We started the weekend pretty well, I was feeling comfortable and we managed to qualify ninth on the grid which was good enough to be getting away with the front group," said Vickers.

"Race one wasn’t bad and I finished ninth but I did struggle with the bike especially towards the end of the race which made me lose contact to the leading group, but even with these issues we weren’t too far away.
 
“For race two, the team worked really hard to improve the bike which allowed me to set my fastest ever time at Snetterton and I was matching the leaders pace. Unfortunately, what happened has happened and that’s in the past now!

"Race three I had a big highside out of the final corner which was totally my mistake trying to take too much too early but overall I’m pretty happy with where I and the team are and I’m looking forward to getting to Silverstone.”