BSB: OMG Racing Yamaha sign Ryan Vickers for 2023 season

Ryan Vickers will be on the championship-winning Yamaha R1 in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next season after joining OMG Racing.

Vickers takes the seat vacated by reigning champion Bradley Ray, who is expected to be confirmed as a World Superbike Championship rider with Yamaha in the coming weeks.

Lining-up alongside Kyle Ryde, the switch to OMG Racing sees Vickers return to Yamaha machinery for the first time since his Junior Superstock title win in 2018. That season saw Vickers win 10 races onboard a Yamaha R6, taking the crown with a 108-point point lead over Joe Sheldon-Shaw.

“I’m so pleased to be given the opportunity to ride what I and many others perceive to be the best bike on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid, with a team have that have impressed a huge number of people by winning the championship,” Vickers said.

“My love of Yamaha stems from my Superstock 600 British Championship win onboard an R6, so I’m looking forward to gelling with the R1, and being able to deliver OMG Racing the level of success they’ve become used to.

“I can’t thank Alan [Gardner, Team Owner] and Paul [Curran, Team Principal] enough for their belief in my abilities, and I’ll be working harder than ever to give them the results the team deserve. I appreciate that to step into the boots of the Championship winner is a big ask, and Brad has set the bar high, but I relish the challenge and I’m excited for what I’m hoping will be my best season yet.”

Vickers made the leap from Junior Superstock to the Superbike class in 2019, spending the next three seasons with Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki. Two bruising seasons followed through injury, however Vickers put together a consistent campaign in 2021.

That season, Vickers recorded his best BSB results to date at Thruxton with a pair of fourths, and went on to record a total of 18 top 10 finishes as he finished 29 of the 33 races  held that year.

2022 proved to be more difficult following Vickers’ switch to FHO Racing BMW. Onboard the M1000 RR, Vickers suffered 12 DNFs and missed three races through injury. He ended his campaign on the BMW with a best result of eighth.

“Ryan is a rider that OMG Racing have had their eye on for quite a while, and has really impressed with both his performance on-track, and his attitude off it,” Alan Gardner, OMG Racing Team Owner said.

“He’s a well-known and liked character within the paddock, and has proven himself to be a rider that will go above & beyond to constantly improve & better his lap times and ability, and that fits perfectly with us and our goals moving forward.

OMG Racing Team Principal, Paul Curran added: “Ryan’s success on the R6 in the British Superstock 600 Championship back in 2018 demonstrates his comfort on Yamahas, and from experience we know this normally translates well to the R1 – you only have to look at Brad [Ray]’s results & progression to see that. His drive and positivity will see him slot perfectly into the team, and I’m confident he’ll be at the sharp end of the grid from the off.”

The team plan on heading to Cartagena in a few weeks with both Vickers and Ryde.

Vickers is the latest rider to be confirmed for the 2023 BSB season after several announcements were made at Motorcycle Live last weekend. Danny Buchan stays at SYNETIQ BMW, whilst Jason O’Halloran remains at McAMS Yamaha for a fifth consecutive season.

Meanwhile, rookie Bradley Perie joins Lee Hardy Racing, and Danny Kent switches to Honda with the new Lovell Kent Racing squad.