Six races and a maximum of 180 points are still for the taking as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title fight reaches the penultimate round of the season at Oulton Park next weekend (3/4/5 October), with defending champion Kyle Ryde and Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha leading the charge.
The pendulum has swung towards the reigning champions in recent rounds as Ryde holds a 31-point advantage heading to Cheshire, but Raceways Yamaha’s Bradley Ray was victorious at the circuit earlier in the season as he bids to close down his rival ahead of the home round decider at Brands Hatch.
Whilst the pair have the edge at the top of the standings, Leon Haslam has a 12-point advantage over Rory Skinner to hold third place for the Moto Rapido Ducati Racing team. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ was also a winner at Oulton Park earlier in the season, and with podium finishes at the most recent round at the TT Circuit Assen, he will be pushing to maintain his edge.
Skinner has had his strongest season to date, claiming nine podium finishes, including a victory with the Cheshire Mouldings Ducati team and he will be determined to close back in on Haslam and maintain his advantage over Christian Iddon in fifth place.
Iddon became the eighth different race winner last time out at the TT Circuit Assen and the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki rider will be keen to keep the momentum rolling into the final two rounds, with 2023 champion Tommy Bridewell just four points adrift for Honda Racing UK.
Danny Kent is still overcoming an injury from Donington Park, but at McAMS home round, he will be pushing for a strong weekend as 2019 champion Scott Redding is now only 9.5 points adrift for Hager PBM Ducati after his double win at the Showdown opener. Max Cook and Charlie Nesbitt complete the current top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) 391
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 360
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) 280
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) 268
- Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 240
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 236
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 217
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) 207.5
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 182
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 158