The 2025 British Superbike Championship PistonClick Review
Ray had the speed, Ryde had the nerve.
Kyle Ryde completed back-to-back BSB titles after a season that swung between domination and damage control. Bradley Ray, returning to the 2025 British Superbike Championship after a disappointing World Superbike campaign, lit up the first half of the year and looked untouchable. Ray demonstrated he had developed as a rider in WSBK, even though the results on the world stage hadn’t reflected this. Back in BSB Ray was fast, very fast. Conversely, Ryde never looked spectacular; he just never went away. When Ray blinked, Ryde pounced — and the title followed.
From round one, Ryde made his intentions clear: he didn’t need to win every race; he just needed to be there every time it counted. Ryde’s 6 wins might not jump off the page, especially against Ray’s 12 and Scott Redding’s 7, but the key fact was Ryde scored points in all 33 races. No other rider in the 2025 British Superbike Championship came close. Ray had 3 DNF, to finish first, first you have to finish.
The PistonClick team went to photograph every round of last year’s BSB Championship. In this pictorial review of the 2025 Championship, we look back at how the BSB crown didn’t go to the fastest rider — it went to the most consistent competitor.
Oulton Park BSB Round 1
Bradley Ray set his stall out for the season, dominating the first two races at Oulton Park, securing pole position and leading both races. After winning the first race, Ray wanted more of the same and was leading in race two.
Leon Haslam was having none of that, passing Ray on the final lap, Haslam won the sprint race. With his first win since 2018 Haslam was tied for the championship lead with Ray and Glenn Irwin.
The third BSB race and the meeting was cancelled due to a tragic multi bike crash in the Supersport race, resulting in Tom Tunstall being seriously injured. Tragically Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29 both lost their lives. Owen and Shane will never be forgotten, our thoughts and sincerest condolences go to their families and friends. Rest in Peace Owen and Shane.
Donington Park BSB Round 2
Bradley Ray won all three races at Donington Park, securing the Milwaukee King of Donington trophy and a milestone 50th BSB race win for Raceways Yamaha. Josh Brookes achieved DAO Racing Honda’s first podium, while Rory Skinner impressed with a 5th, 4th, and 3rd place finish.
Snetterton BSB Round 3
Bradley Ray dominated the BSB Snetterton Round, again winning all three races and achieving a historic feat of two consecutive treble-winning weekends. Rory Skinner and Tommy Bridewell battled fiercely for second place in Race 2, with Bridewell securing the position by a narrow margin. Leon Haslam claimed third place in Race 3, following a thrilling contest with Skinner and Bridewell.
Knockhill BSB Round 4
Bradley Ray was again fast at the Scottish Knockhill round. Ray secured his seventh and eighth consecutive wins in race 1 and 2 and finishing second in race 3. Rory Skinner, competing at his home round, stepped onto the podium in all three races, including a win in the final race. Scott Redding (replacing the injured Glenn Irwin) impressed with a fourth-place finish in race 1. Kyle Ryde managed a second place in race 1, 7th and an 11th place finish in races 2 and 3.
Brands Hatch BSB Round 5
Ray won the first and third race at Brands Hatch, increasing his championship lead. Redding, deputising for the injured Irwin, secured a podium finish in all three races, including a win in race two. Despite a mixed weekend, Ray maintained a comfortable lead in the championship standings of 222 points with Kyle Ryde on 188.
Thruxton BSB Round 6
Ryde, recorded an amazing time of half a second under the Thruxton lap record to secure race one pole position. He went onto take the checkered flag after an epic battle that saw the lead change many times. Glen Irwin’s departure from Hager PBM Ducati was a major talking point at Thruxton. Despite the split, Irwin quickly joined Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha, alongside Kyle Ryde. The weekend saw Danny Kent secure a double win, while Bradley Ray maintained his championship lead.
Cadwell Park BSB Round 7
Bradley Ray won Race 1 at Cadwell Park, narrowly beating Ryde after a close battle. In Race 2, Ray crashed, allowing Ryde to finish second behind Bridewell, with Irwin in third. Race 3 saw Ryde and Irwin battle for the lead, with Ryde ultimately winning. Ryde was now the 2025 British Superbike Championship leader, but only buy 2 points.
Donington Park BSB Round 8
Scott Redding posted a time under the BSB Donington Park lap record of 1:26.781 in qualifying. Scott Redding, on pole for race one was looking strong. Redding duly delivered, taking the win. Redding went on to finish on the podium in the remaining three races. Kyle Ryde won his first treble in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park. Ryde was now leading the championship by 28 points after winning three races at Donington Park. Bradley Ray struggled, stepping onto the podium only once all weekend.
TT Circuit Assen BSB Round 9
Scott Redding impressed again at the TT Circuit Assen, securing two victories and a second-place finish. Christian Iddon finally cracked the winner’s circle in 2025, splashing his way to victory on the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki at a sodden Assen in race two. Kyle Ryde maintained his championship lead despite a challenging weekend, while Bradley Ray and Rory Skinner also showcased strong performances. The championship battle remained tight as the series headed to Oulton Park.
Oulton Park BSB Round 10
The British Superbikes Championship at Oulton Park was marked by unpredictable weather, impacting the races and championship standings. Josh Brookes won Race 1, while Bradley Ray closed the gap to Kyle Ryde in the championship with a win in Race 2. Scott Redding secured victory in Race 3, setting up a thrilling finale at Brands Hatch.
British Superbike Finale – Brands Hatch Round 11
The opening twenty-lap race had Ray on pole with Ryde in P2 and Christian Iddon third on the grid. Starting sixth in race one, Scott Redding on the Hager PBM Ducati was a man on a mission. Redding executed that mission by winning race one.
In race two Ray and Ryde battled at the front, both leading, trying to find an advantage and brake away. Redding had been biding his time and moved on Ray at Hawthorns. On the final lap, Redding once again used the power and handling of the Ducati at Hawthorns to take the lead from Ryde. Crossing the line, Redding now had a double win for the Hager PBM Ducati team to celebrate.
Scott Redding started on pole for the final BSB race of the year after setting the fastest lap of race 2. Ray and Danny Kent lined up next to Redding on the front row with Ryde in fourth. A light rain was now falling as we have seen this season some go the riders love the rain other not so. The bottom line was as long as Ryde finished in the top half of the riders he would be crowned the 2025 British Superbike Champion.
Danny Kent, was riding for the last time on the McAMS Racing Yamaha so was determined to get a win for the team. McAMS had announced they wouldn’t be racing in BSB 2026. Taking the lead on lap five Kent looked comfortable at the front followed by Charlie Nesbitt who was looking for podium glory in the final race. Sitting in third was not good enough for Ray’s Championship bid, but he couldn’t catch Nesbitt.
With two laps to go Nesbitt crashed out from second place, handing a lifeline to Ray. Tommy Bridewell was now up to third. Storm Stacey who always goes well in the wet finished in fourth and was the top BMW rider. Scott Redding couldn’t make three race wins in a row was fifth. Ryde was riding his own race, crossing the line in sixth was good enough for Kyle Ryde to take the 2025 BSB crown for a second consecutive season.
British Superbikes 2026
Nine winners. Thirteen podium finishers. Relentless pressure from riders like Glenn Irwin, Tommy Bridewell, Rory Skinner, and Josh Brookes ensured no weekend felt safe at the front for Ryde and Ray. Now for the 2026 campaign the chessboard resets, the teams will reshuffle, riders will reposition.
Ryde stays in the same championship winning team but moves to a Ducati. Redding has also committed to a full season also on a Ducati. Bridewell is back on the Bologna bullet as well. Ryan Vickers returns to BSB riding a factory Honda Firebade. Davey Todd and Peter Hickman have the backing of the mighty BMW Motorrad Motorsport division.
With multiple previous champions on competitive machines the 2026 British Superbike season is shaping up to be one to remember. We, the PistonClick team will be back trackside to capture the 2026 action from the viewpoint of the spectator photographer. The first test of the new season is at Donington Park, 3-4 April 2026.
Thanks go out to all of the photographers and reporters who have contributed to the British Superbike season 2025 reports. Without their dedication and support for the PistonClick website we couldn’t bring you these British Superbike articles. Our BSB reports from 2018 – 2025 can be found below.
