LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde closed the gap on Bennetts British Superbike Championship leaders Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell after a barely believable second contest of the weekend at Donington Park.
Ryde had started 15th on the grid after yesterday’s dramatic race, but before half distance was challenging the leaders. But the big story early on had been the rise through the order from Irwin and Bridewell from 12th and 26th on the grid respectively.
Irwin had hit the front at the end of the first lap after a superb opening tour that saw him jump to fourth at the first corner. Bridewell’s progress meanwhile had been just as impressive, gaining 11 spots on the opening lap and then picked off his rivals one by one to move into the lead group by lap nine.
Passing both Ryan Vickers and Leon Haslam in one move at Fogarty’s, Bridewell was second and poised to challenge teammate Irwin, taking the lead as they started lap 10.
Irwin moved back past at Redgate, only for Bridewell to repass moments later, with Vickers also following through. Irwin retook the lead on lap 11, but their squabble had allowed multiple riders to join the fight.
As Ryde challenged up the inside of Melbourne on lap 12, Bridewell, now in third, collided with the back of Irwin, with both crashing out of contention, and sparking fury from the championship leader. Both have now failed to score a single point so far this weekend.
That drama allowed Ryde to take control of the race, leading pole sitter Haslam for five laps before the contest came to an early end when rain forced a red flag.
That meant Ryde claimed his fifth victory of the season and his third at Donington Park, to put him just 31.5 points behind Irwin at the top of the standings, with the lead duo still covered by half a point. Haslam is only a couple of points further back after his second podium of the weekend, finishing ahead of Christian Iddon, who took his third podium of the season.
The Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki of Lee Jackson was also in the battle for the lead and took fourth ahead of McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran, with race one winner Ryan Vickers taking sixth for LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha.
The top-10 was completed by Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing), Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad), Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) and Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad).
The final Bennetts BSB race of the weekend is due to commence at 16.30.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race two result:
1. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 16 laps
2. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +0.224s
3. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +1.489s
4. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +1.755s
5. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.138s
6. Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +3.791s
7. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) +6.387s
8. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.678s
9. Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +9.655s
10. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +10.938s
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