Kyle Ryde took what could be a crucial third place finish in a dramatic opening race of the weekend at Oulton Park.

The opening British Superbike race of the weekend at Oulton Park was impacted by changing weather conditions, which led many riders to gamble on their tyre choice for Race One.

Originally, the race was going to start under dry conditions and every rider opted for slick tyres, but after it rained on the opening lap the race was stopped and declared a wet race. Some riders gambled on intermediate tyres as the track began to dry, but Championship leader, Kyle Ryde, stuck with wet tyres.

The reigning British Superbike Champion, Ryde, lost out on the race win in the opening race as he made the wrong tyre choice. He was unable to battle with Josh Brookes and Leon Haslam who chose the intermediate tyres.

However, the Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha rider was the top rider on wet tyres as he claimed what could be a crucial third place, while his title rival, Bradley Ray, was in ninth place.

"We have not really done a dry lap all weekend, so physical-wise we are all fine, but stress-wise, not so good," Ryde said after the opening race of the weekend at Oulton Park.

"It was definitely draining. I think we were all looking forward to a dry race, then it rained on the first lap, and it was red-flagged. It then becomes a stress scenario for everyone involved, not just the riders, but the teams and organisers.

"It has not been easy, but I am just glad to win the wet tyre race. I did well in the middle of the race, I saved a bit of tyre behind Storm [Stacey] and Fraser [Rogers], then I tried to pull the pin the best I could. I did not have much left, but I had enough to pull away.

"Credit to these two [Josh Brookes and Leon Haslam] who were in front of me for choosing the right tyres on the grid and being brave. That is why they are first and second today."