BSB: Kyle Ryde and Ryan Vickers to make WorldSBK Jerez wildcard appearance with OMG Racing UK

Bennetts British Superbike Championship riders Kyle Ryde and Ryan Vickers will both enter the final round of the 2024 World Superbike Championship season at Jerez with OMG Racing UK.

The Cannock-based team, Yamaha’s official supported effort in BSB, will run full WorldSBK-spec R1s with Magneti Marelli electronics, and will work closely with the Yamaha Motor Europe Motorsport Racing & Development.

It’s been a strong BSB campaign for both riders, with Ryde well and truly in this year’s title fight against reigning champion Tommy Bridewell. Ryde’s double at Cadwell Park moved him onto four victories this year, whilst he has a total of 11 podiums in 2024.

Jerez won’t be Ryde’s first appearance in the WorldSBK paddock. The 27-year-old podiumed in the World Supersport Championship at Donington Park in 2015 whilst riding a Yamaha R6.

“It’s obviously really exciting to hear that the team will be going to compete in the final round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Jerez, and it is something I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do,” Ryde said.

“I love Jerez, it is such an awesome track. I did a few laps there on my R6 earlier this year, and I really like the circuit, so I’m already itching to get out on the World Superbike-spec R1. The team are working hard behind the scenes now to get it all ready, and I just can’t wait.

“Thank you to Alan, Paul and all my guys for giving up their time and efforts to give us the chance to ride on the world stage.”

Meanwhile, Vickers’ BSB campaign has been one of ups and downs. Despite having more victories than anybody else (7), Vickers finds himself fifth in the championship, 86 points behind Bridewell.

Vickers has missed three races through injury and illness, whilst he’s also crashed out strong positions at Donington Park and Cadwell Park.

The upcoming wildcard at Jerez isn’t the first for Vickers. His last WorldSBK appearance came in 2022 when he was drafted in to replace Leon Haslam at Most onboard the Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki. Vickers narrowly missed out on the points in race three when he crossed the line in 17^th.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race at Jerez for the final round of the World Superbike Championship,” Vickers said.  “I’m eager to get out there and give it a shot with the same team and bike, just upgraded to the World Superbike-spec. I think it’ll be a good indication as to where we are as a team and how our bike is compared to the world bike.

“Kyle and I both feel really good on our R1 in Britain, so it’ll be interesting to see how it feels when we put the World Superbike electronics in. Jerez is one of my favourite tracks, I did a test there on a Superbike back in 2019 and I’m excited to get back there this year to race in World Superbikes.”

For OMG Racing this is the latest step in what has been a fast rise through the ranks in motorcycle racing. The team entered BSB for the first time in 2018 as an independent Suzuki effort with Gino Rea on a Superbike and Josh Elliot in Superstock.

The following year Elliot claimed the team’s maiden BSB win at Silverstone, before a switch to BMW power came in 2020. The BMW days weren’t so positive but a switch to Yamaha in 2022 changed everything.

Bradley Ray dominated to secure the title with nine wins and 23 podiums, whilst OMG also claimed the Teams title and helped Yamaha to win the Manufacturers crown. The team became Yamaha’s official BSB entrant in 2024.

“It’s a great opportunity to show what we can do compared to the other Yamaha teams and riders at a circuit both riders know well,” OMG Racing UK Team Owner, Alan Gardner said. “We’re in a good place going into the final few rounds of the British Superbike Championship, so we’ll be giving it our all to try and head to the world stage as BSB champions.”

Team Principal, Paul Curran added: “The whole team have worked hard to be where we are heading into the final three rounds of the BSB Championship, and I think we can put on a strong showing when we get to Spain in October.

“Jerez is up there as one of the best circuits in the world so naturally we’re hoping to put on a good performance for our fans, partners and ourselves. We have technical support from Yamaha Motor Europe who will assist with setting up the World Superbike-spec Yamaha R1, but I’m confident we’ll use the machinery to our advantage and come away with our heads held high.”

The final round of the 2024 WorldSBK season at Jerez takes place on October 18-20.