After two years in the World Superbike Championship, Bradley Ray is back in British Superbikes and is ready to fight for the title.
Bradley Ray is back on the grid for the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship after two years away in the World Superbike paddock.
The 2022 British Superbike Champion will continue with a Yamaha R1 in the returning Raceways Yamaha team.
During his first test back in the paddock, Ray was fifth overall across the two days at Donington Park. His best time came during the second session of day two and was 0.587 seconds off of Glenn Irwin's best time.
"The test has been really good, I am enjoying it, obviously it is the first test back for me since December last year," Ray told BikeSport News at Donington Park.
"So, I am working with a new team, but I know the bike quite well, but I have needed to understand the team and we've needed to learn to work together. This test has been about that and about me getting back up to speed.
"Obviously, I have not been in BSB for two years and I haven’t tested for a long time so it is just about getting some bike time in and understanding where we are. But today has been a good day and I have felt comfortable on the bike."
Originally, Ray was contracted to ride for the OMG Racing squad this season, but due to last-minute changes is now with Raceways Yamaha. These changes do not seem to have impacted Ray, as he spoke highly of his new team.
"Yeah, it’s good, Steve [Rodgers] is bang on and all my mechanics and crew chief are good," Ray said.
"We are learning to work together; they need to know how I work, and I need to know how they work. So, all in all, it has been good, that is what this test has been about, to get up to speed and all of us to work together."
Ahead of his comeback season, Ray has been tipped as one of the title favourites. This is a clear goal that he also has for the upcoming season, as he has his sights set on a second British Superbike title.
"Obviously, everyone wants to win the Championship and win races; that is the clear goal," Ray stated.
"That is exactly what I want to do, myself and Steve have come back to fight for a Championship, so we will be doing everything we can to be at the sharp end all the time."
During the opening day of the Oulton Park Test on the 23rd of April, Ray was back on the pace on his Yamaha R1. The 27-year-old topped all three sessions during the test and has built his confidence ahead of the 2025 season.
