After a low-key start to the weekend, LAMI OMG Racing’s Kyle Ryde got stronger and stronger as the weekend wore on at Oulton Park and he was able to end the meeting with his 11th career British Superbike Championship podium.
First round victor Ryde could only manage 16th in the damp qualifying session and starting from the sixth row of the grid meant he was only able to fight his way through to seventh in Sunday’s Sprint race.
However, with conditions more favourable on Monday, his pace in the longer 18-lap races was a lot stronger and he was a more prominent figure in the leading pack. Fifth in the opener was then followed by a strong third in the final race of the weekend which left him fifth in the early season table.
“I struggled a bit with the track being wet and then dry in the first two days and generally struggled for grip all weekend,” explained the Nottinghamshire rider. “But it was a fantastic feeling to be able to improve in every race.”
“Despite the win, I felt Silverstone wasn’t the best weekend for me – we started with a win but then ended P7, so it’s good to turn it around this weekend. A solid dry, first race on Monday helped me a lot as the bike was so much easier to ride.
“I got some cramps in my hand and arm in the afternoon but had some good pace and my bike was definitely good enough to be on the podium. Unfortunately, the physical side took over and I dropped back but I was over the moon to get the podium and be in the fight at the end. It’s always nice to get faster throughout the weekend and not slower like at Silverstone.”
The series visits Donington Park next, Ryde’s favourite track and one where he’s excelled at in the past including victory there 12 months ago as well as being fastest at the official tests earlier in the year.
CLICK HERE to view the 2023 BSB Championship Standings after Round 2 of 11
