Thruxton once again lived up to its reputation as the fastest circuit in the UK, delivering high-speed drama, shock team changes, and record-breaking performances in Round 6 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. All eyes were on Yamaha as they chased a 12-race winning streak, while the paddock buzzed with the stunning news of Glenn Irwin’s sudden move to Nitrous Competitions alongside Kyle Ryde. Across three days of blistering pace, challenging winds, and intense tyre management, the Hampshire circuit became the stage for Yamaha’s continued dominance — and for Danny Kent to mount his strongest challenge yet.
Yamaha’s Domination Continues, Ryde and Kent Shine Amid Shocks and Surprises
Round 6 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton was set against a backdrop of high drama both on and off the track. All eyes were on Yamaha to see if they could extend their incredible 12-race win streak, and the paddock was still buzzing from the shock news of Glenn Irwin’s move to Nitrous Competitions alongside Kyle Ryde, after his contract termination with Hager PBM Ducati.
Friday – Kent Quick Out of the Box, Stacey’s Return to Form
The weekend opened with blistering heat and high winds, conditions that tore through tyres and kept the bikes lively through Thruxton’s fast, sweeping corners. McAMS Yamaha’s Danny Kent wasted no time stamping his authority, topping the timesheets. Storm Stacey impressed with a storming run to second fastest, a much-needed confidence boost after a tough outing at Brands Hatch. Tommy Bridewell, returning from injury, rounded out the top three with a display of consistent speed.
Saturday – Record Pace from Ryde, Haslam’s Q1 Heroics
Though temperatures dipped slightly, the wind on Saturday became the main talking point. It proved no match for Kyle Ryde, who stunned the paddock with a record-shattering lap — 0.512 seconds under the existing benchmark — on his Nitrous Competitions OMG Yamaha.
Meanwhile, Glenn Irwin and his brother Andrew both battled out of Q1 alongside Leon Haslam. Haslam made his point in the Bandero Café Shootout, posting a personal best and provisional pole just minutes after multiple hot laps in Q1. Ultimately, Brad Ray on the Raceways Yamaha edged Haslam for second on the grid, but neither could touch Ryde’s blistering time.
Race One – Ryde Makes It 13 in a Row for Yamaha
A frantic opening lap saw early contact at the front, dropping Ryde and Ray into the chasing pack and allowing the AJN Steelstock Kawasakis through, with Danny Kent in tow. Charlie Nesbitt charged through the order to gain four places, only to suffer a huge moment with Max Cook that forced his retirement.
Ryde and Ray played the long game, conserving their tyres in the notoriously abrasive 20-lap Thruxton grind. By lap three, Ryde was back in control at the front, pulling clear from Cook and Kent. The strategy paid off perfectly — Ryde took the win, Kent secured second, and Cook completed the podium, with AJN’s Kawasaki pairing collecting vital championship points. Yamaha’s win streak stretched to 13.
Sunday – Kent’s Double Delight, Yamaha’s Streak Hits 14
Race Two was red-flagged on lap three, setting up a shortened but no less fierce battle. Danny Kent emerged supreme, going toe-to-toe with Christian Iddon before sealing his first victory of the day.
In Race Three, Kent doubled up with another assertive performance, while Brad Ray blasted off the line to secure second ahead of Iddon. The results tightened the team championship fight between Nitrous Competitions OMG Yamaha and Raceways Yamaha, but the day belonged to Kent and the unstoppable Yamaha machinery.
With 14 consecutive wins at Britain’s fastest circuit, Yamaha’s dominance at Thruxton remains unchallenged — and with Ryde, Kent, and Ray in imperious form, it shows no sign of slowing down.
