BSB: Bradley Ray joins Rich Energy OMG Racing for 2021

Bradley Ray has signed for the Rich Energy OMG Racing team ahead of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike season.

Ray remains on BMW machinery having competed for the SYNETIQ BMW squad this year, achieving a best result of fifth at Snetterton and Silverstone. Overall it proved to be a difficult campaign for Ray and all of the BMW teams.

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Despite this, the 23-year-old has decided to stay with the German manufacturer and will get his hands on the all-new M1000 RR next season. 

“I’m excited to be joining RICH Energy OMG Racing and getting to work on the new BMW M1000 RR,” Ray said. “They’re a really welcoming team and ever since they came into the paddock, I’ve been a fan of the family atmosphere that they have. They’re one of those teams who have the right attitude and just want you to enjoy your racing.

“I’ve got a year’s worth of experience on the S1000 RR and I think that the new bike will just reinforce those weaker areas where we struggled last season. I want to be back fighting for podiums regularly, and after sitting down with Paul [Curran] and Alan [Gardner] I feel confident they’re investing in all the right places to give me every chance to get back to where I know I can be.”

Ray, who spent three years in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies series, quickly made a name for himself in BSB after being promoted from the Supersport class. He secured a sensation double at Donington Park for Buildbase Suzuki, at the first race meeting of his second Superbike campaign. Ray ended that season inside the Showdown, finishing sixth overall. 

Ray completes an exciting young line at OMG Racing, following the arrival of Kyle Ryde earlier in the month. There are plenty of similarities between the two racers, who are good friends away from the circuit, with Ryde also having competed for Buildbase Suzuki. He secured an impressive double at Silverstone in his debut season this year. 

“We’re very excited to announce that Brad will be joining us for the 2021 season, he has a full year of experience on the S1000 RR, so he’ll hopefully settle in quickly on the M1000 RR and can help Kyle in that regard as well,” team principal Paul Curran added. 

“He is a proven race-winner, as is Kyle, and between the two of them we are expecting some great battles this season. With both riders working together, we are confident the team will take a leap forward in results and we can build on our first season with BMW machinery, where we outperformed the factory side.

“To have two proven British Superbike race winners in the team is a show of faith that we can help them take the next step in their respective careers and as a team, we’ll work hard to deliver that for them.”

The provisional 2021 BSB calendar includes 11 race meetings, starting at Oulton Park on May 1-3. Prior to the opening round there will four UK tests in April, followed by another test on May 20 at Donington Park.