Rookie Ryde seals first Supersport win

In his rookie Supersport season, Jacksdale racer Ryde (17) had already secured a podium place in the first weekend of races at Donington Park, but went one better with a win and a second place in rounds three and four.

Having topped Friday’s free practice sessions, Ryde then secured pole for Saturday’s sprint race and despite technical problems just before the warm-up lap that were quickly addressed, he swiftly took a commanding lead in the race.

Although he became embroiled in an exciting battle with Irishman Glenn Irwin, Ryde eventually grabbed the initiative going into Paddock on the fourth lap and eased towards a comfortable victory, crossing the line 3.563 seconds ahead of Irwin.

Sunday’s main race day saw Ryde again set the quickest lap times in the warm-up sessions but having started on pole following his fastest lap in Saturday’s race he was relegated to fifth by the opening corner .

Part of a leading pack that broke away and ensured it would be a five-way battle for victory, Ryde battled his way past American rider James Rispoli and then Jake Dixon to take third by the halfway point, breaking the Indy circuit lap record in the process.

Having again passed Irwin he was closing in on the Kawasaki of leader Luke Stapleford but with laps running out and his tyres starting to suffer, Ryde settled for a respectable second spot to ensure he is now equal second in the overall standings and top of the Rookie Championship.

The next rounds will be at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the May Bank Holiday weekend.