Brad Ray has kicked off preparations for his first full-season in the WorldSBK Championship as he unveiled the Motoxracing Yamaha R1 he will campaign in 2024.

The 2022 British Superbike Champion was on hand to do the honours at the team’s Italian base just outside of Rome as Motoxracing became the first team to officially launch its 2024 WorldSBK bid.

He was joined by Italian youngsters Emiliano Ercolani and Elia Bartolini, who will represent Motoxracing in the WorldSSP 300 Championship this year.

Though this will be Ray’s second season competing in WorldSBK with Motoxracing, the 2024 WorldSBK campaign will nevertheless represent his first full season in the series.

The Briton took in just eight of last year’s 12 events and made a belated debut during Round 3 at Assen, leaving him on the back foot initially relative to his competition in a high quality field. 

However, Motoxracing has confirmed it will be present for each round in 2024 as one of six Yamaha entries alongside the factory Pata PROMOTEON machines of Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli, works-supported GYTR GRT R1s of Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner, plus the privateer GMT94 entry to be campaigned by Philipp Oettl.

Despite his late start to the season, Ray established himself as a regular points’ scorer in 2023, peaking with a fine charge to sixth place during Round 7 at Imola. 

Ray is the latest in a long line of esteemed BSB Champions that have progressed to the WorldSBK stage over the years, joining the likes of Shane Byrne, Scott Redding, Alex Lowes, Leon Haslam and 2024 rookie Tarran Mackenzie.