Podium on his Supersport debut for Jacksdale racer

Kyle Ryde is action at the British Superbikes round one at Donington Park. Photo by Trevor Price.

Racing for the Pacedayz European Trackdays squad, Ryde was second and fastest in the two free practice sessions and second in qualifying.

That left him second on the grid for the opening sprint race in which he just missed out with a creditable fourth place after running at the front for the entire race.

But, fourth on the grid for the feature race, he battled his way to a third place finish, learning his craft with each of the 18 laps.

The reigning National Superstock 600cc champion, who impressed during winter testing, was soon up to second and challenging for the lead for the second time in two days.

A number of decisive overtakes at half-race distance prevented any further push for the win, but nevertheless Ryde was clearly elated to bag his maiden Supersport podium at the opening round of the 2015 season.

That left him fourth overall in the championship after the first weekend’s action.

“It has been a great weekend,” he said. “To get my first ever podium in British Supersport at my home race in front of all my family, friends and supporters was a brilliant feeling.

“All together I’ve been there or thereabouts inside the top four all weekend, so with the fourth place and the podium I’m over the moon. I can’t thank Craig and the whole Pacedayz Trackdays team enough for making the bike ride so well.”

Ryde now heads to Brands Hatch in a fortnight with 29 points on the board and, with the confidence that both he and the team have, can now be considered genuine podium contenders for the rest of the season.

It was a successful start to the British Championship season for the Pacedayz European Trackdays squad of Ryde, Ben Currie and Ross Twyman, as all three powered their Yamaha machines to impressive and encouraging results at Donington Park, Currie also securing a maiden podium in the Superstock 600cc race.

Tyman qualified tenth but was elevated to the third row, starting ninth, following an infringement by a rival.

Ending the opening lap inside the top six, he lost touch with the leading trio after the safety car period, then he was back challenging for fourth before eventually finishing sixth at the flag.