Tom Sykes Wins His First Race of the 2022 Season as Championship Leader Brad Ray Misses Out on a Podium Finish.

It’s the penultimate round of the Bennetts British Superbikes at Derbyshire’s Donington Park. McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran started from pole position for the fourth time this season. OMG Racing’s Bradley Ray qualified in second place, with PBM MCE Ducati’s Tom Sykes in third place; taking his first row start of the 2022 season.

There were a few new faces in the Superbike class: Mar-Train Racing’s Jack Kennedy has made the step-up for the final two rounds, in preparation for next season; Charlie Nesbitt was standing in for injured Suzuki’s Christian Iddon and Powerslide Suzuki make a return to the superbike class with Eemeli Lahti.

OMG Racing’s Kyle Ryde got the holeshot into Redgate, Tom Sykes got a lightening start getting into first place. Kyle Ryde charged forward getting into second place, team-mate Brad Ray was in third place. Pole Man Jason O’Halloran got pushed back to sixth place.

BMW’s Andrew Irwin slipped inside Brad Ray at Foggys, Ray re-took the position a corner later. Tom Sykes was still leading the way at the front of the field; with Ryde still holding on to second place. On lap four Ray put in the fastest lap of the race, the Kent rider then went on to pass his team-mate Ryde for second place.

Jason O’Halloran was moving up the order after five laps and was in fourth place. Jason and Kyle were battling for the third-place position; Jason took the third place on lap six. Kyle slipped down the order to fifth just behind Peter Hickman. Kyle then found himself in another battle with Glenn Irwin for sixth place.

At the half-way stage of the race Sykes was still out front with Ray in second place and O’Halloran in third place. The leading quartet had made a break from the rest of the field, Lee Jackson was pushing through the field passing Ryde for seventh place. Andrew and Glenn Irwin were just on the back of the leading group, Andrew had to retire on lap 11 due to a mechanical issue.

Jason was closing in on Brad for the second place, he made his pass at the Melbourne Loop, Ray was now coming under pressure from Hickman on the final lap, Ray ran wide at Goddards handing the final podium spot place to Hickman.

Tom Sykes crossed the finish line to take his first win of the 2022 season, Jason O’Halloran was second, Hickman was third with a frustrated Brad Ray finishing in fourth place, Glenn Irwin finished in fifth place.

Bradley Ray now leads the championship standings by 45 points from Tommy Bridewell, Jason O’Halloran is 58 points behind the championship leader.

Featured Images: Olithephoto.