BSB Champion Bradley Ray joins WorldSBK; only for Euro rounds

news7g12/05/2022

6 3 minutes read

BSB Champion Bradley Ray joins WorldSBK; only for Euro rounds

Bradley Ray attends WorldSBK Europe rounds

British Superbike champion Bradley Ray will take part in the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2023, racing the Yamaha R1 in the European rounds for Team Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK.

After a stellar title-winning BSB season that included nine wins and 23 podiums, Ray will now have the chance to showcase his talents on the world stage, with the British driver’s campaign set to kick off. in the third round of the championship at Assen.

Bradley Ray – Team Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK

“After an incredible first year with Yamaha in the UK, delivering 9 wins and 23 podiums in my career as a UK Superbike Champion, I’m overjoyed that Yamaha has made it to the top. give me this opportunity to take the next step with the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK team.

“I have dreamed of becoming a World Superbike Champion since I made my racing debut at the age of three and I know that it would not have been possible without the support of a manufacturer like Yamaha and team around me. I’d love to start at WorldSBK and hope to follow in the footsteps of many successful Brits in the championship. It’s time to aim for the next title, one step at a time!“

Ray has enjoyed an impressive teenage career, both nationally and internationally, finishing seventh at the age of 15 at the 2012 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, and winning his first championship in 2012. after. In 2014, he finished fourth in the final standings, well ahead of the likes of Jorge Martin and Joan Mir of MotoGP, as well as Yamaha WorldSBK 2021 champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

After some impressive performances in Europe, Ray refocused on national racing in 2016 and quickly established himself as a title challenger in the British SuperSport Championship. On the Yamaha R6, the young man ended his rookie campaign in third place in the overall standings, helping him advance in the British Superbike category for the next season.

During that first year, Ray regularly broke into the top 10 finishers and scored his first podium goal at Oulton Park, placing an impressive 11th in the final standings. With a wealth of experience, Ray had an explosive start to the 2018 season, winning the opening two races at Donington Park, before making it to the Championship Showdown, finishing sixth overall.

More podiums took place during the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons, but it was not until this season – racing a Yamaha R1 bike for the first time – that Ray was able to reach his full potential. The 25-year-old had never finished a race outside the top six when he went to checkered and claimed the title at the Brands Hatch finale.

It’s not the first time Ray has contested the WorldSBK championship, with the Kent-born racer scoring as a wildcard at the 2018 Donington lap, but now he has the chance to challenge for a high result on the machine won the championship with the team Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK.

Andrea Dosoli – Director of Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing

“Yamaha is fully committed to giving our riders from national championships the opportunity to race on the world championship circuit. After an incredible first season on the R1 in the British Superbikes, Bradley has shown that he absolutely deserves his spot on the WorldSBK grid in 2023.

“Over the years we have seen that he has great racing technique and consistency that has helped him win the title this year. We are sure that he will be able to adapt quickly, as he has been able to do throughout his career so far. Team Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK will definitely give him the best possible chance to challenge for high results.”