BSB: Raceways Yamaha return with 2022 champion Bradley Ray

Bradley Ray’s spot on the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid has been secured thanks to a last minute deal with the returning Raceways Yamaha team.

OMG Racing’s shocking departure on April 1 left Ray, as well as reigning champion Kyle Ryde and newcomer Joe Talbot, without a ride just a few days before the opening pre-season test of the year at Navarra.

Fortunately for Ray, Steve Rodgers’ Raceways team will return to BSB as a one-rider outfit with Yamaha machinery. Rodgers left the paddock at the end of the 2023 season after several successful years as Yamaha’s official BSB team.

Racing as the McAMS Yamaha team between 2017 and 2023, Raceways amassed a total of 42 BSB victories, 107 podiums and the 2021 teams, manufacturers and riders’ crowns with Tarran Mackenzie.

“I am super happy and grateful to Steve Rodgers and Yamaha Motor UK for putting together this opportunity for me at the very last minute, it has been a bit of a whirlwind,” Ray said.

“Obviously it has been a very difficult couple of weeks and there has been a lot of uncertainty, but when Steve rang me with the opportunity, I couldn’t say no as it’s as close as we could be to the original plan for the year – remaining with Yamaha on an R1 in BSB, which is amazing. I can’t wait to get the 2025 season started as soon as possible and be back fighting for wins up the front.”

Ray will indeed ride the exact bike he was due to race in OMG Racing colours this upcoming season. He returns to the UK following two campaigns in the World Superbike Championship, also riding the Yamaha R1.

He left BSB after a dominating 2022 season which saw him win the title with two races to spare with OMG Racing. Ray secured nine victories and 23 podium finishes on his way to top spot.

“It was never really my plan to return to racing, but following what has happened with OMG it was a huge shame to see the riders facing 2025 without a ride,” Rodgers said. “We came close to signing Brad as McAMS Yamaha back in the day, so when it became clear we could do something to get him on the grid this year I couldn’t quite resist the opportunity.

“Thanks to Stuart Higgs and the team at MSV, plus the guys at Yamaha Motor UK for helping us make it happen. It’s not a simple task setting up a BSB team in a couple of weeks, but we’ll give it a go!”

Ray and the Raceways team will be at the two-day Donington Park test this Friday (April 18), before heading to Oulton Park for a further two days of testing on April 23-24. The opening round of the 2025 season takes place at the Cheshire circuit May 3-5.