We spoke to Rich Energy BMW’s latest signing, Kyle Ryde, about the upcoming season.

Kyle Ryde’s 2020 season was nothing short of amazing. The GP2 champion returned to BSB action with Hawk Racing and instantly surprised. A second position and two race wins was what awarded the 23-year-old.

For 2021, Ryde will join the OMG Racing BMW team, replacing the outgoing Luke Mossey and Hector Barbera. We caught up with their latest signing ahead of next season.

What was the reason you switched teams for 2021?
“That was a hard one – no bad feelings towards the Buildbase Suzuki Team but I fancied a change, the new BMW M 1000-RR has wings and new parts, the Suzuki GSX-R 1000R is four years old now with no new bike plans as of yet. BMW has got a pathway into the World Superbike paddock if that was the case and me being 23 now I need to think about my future, so the OMG BMW package suited me more.”

You have signed a two year deal for the team, how does that change things?
“A two-year deal has never happened to me before, teams would love to sign riders for two or more years, it’s all to do with team’s sponsorship. I feel less pressure with signing the two-year deal.”

The Nottinghamshire rider knows members of the OMG BMW team but was unsure at first if the team had a family feel to it but he has found the team “more than a family, they all want the same thing, to do well in racing”. He is excited and “feels like a kid again” to be riding the All-New BMW M 1000 RR and loves the fact that the bike has wings, he will be riding the bike in three weeks time in Portugal and can’t wait to get to grips with everything as there is a lot to understand with the new bike.

What will you and the team focus on for both the 2021 and 2022 season?
“Not to do any worse than my previous season, it will be hard to win a race in the first year, my target next year is to get more points and end the season in a higher position, be more constant in races and get more podiums.”

Kyles best memory of his 2020 season was doing the double at Silverstone, as soon as he finished the races he couldn’t wait to get back to pit lane to celebrate with his parents!

However, looking ahead to 2021, Kyle and his Rich Energy OMG BMW team will be hoping to be celebrating with podium success over the next two seasons!

Featured Image: Suzuki