Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.   Home | British Superbikes | "One-man band" Kyle Ryde's chances rated for new-look 2025 BSB season Ahead of the 2025 British Superbike season BikeSport News sat down with TNT Sports commentator Steve Day for a well-needed season preview The 2025 British Superbike season begins this weekend at Oulton Park Twenty-six riders from twenty-three different teams will line up on the start grid for the season opener in the seven months between the conclusion of the 2024 season and the start of the 2025 season it has not all been smooth sailing in the paddock as well as new teams arrive in the Championship for the upcoming season The most significant development leading into the new season was the reorganisation of the reigning Champions, OMG Racing, now known as the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha team Ahead of the 2025 British Superbike Championship, BikeSport News sat down with TNT Sports Commentator to discuss all the recent major events in the paddock the news that OMG were folding was a major bombshell I had no idea whatsoever that it was coming,” Day said You can see from the reactions of some of the riders that it was a real surprise.  “I am friends with Shakey [Shane Byrne] and I got in touch with him to ask what was happening and he told me he was trying to find Brad [Ray] a ride we wanted to make sure that Kyle [Ryde] and Brad [Ray] found a ride and were able to stay on the grid.” OMG Racing planned to have the 2024 BSB Champion Kyle Ryde and BSB rookie Joe Talbot compete for the team “It would have been a disaster if we did not have the reigning Champion on the grid But it is just good that he can go out with the number one on the bike and he has not lost out hugely in terms of testing time not having him would have been damaging for British Superbikes It was at no fault of the organisers either I felt sorry for Stuart [Higgs] and co when the announcement was made.  and I don’t think it will impact his chances this season either He is now a one-man band; all the focus is on him and he knows the bike inside out already.” Bradley Ray will also remain on the British Superbike grid After two years in the World Superbike Championship, Ray will make his return with the returning Raceways Yamaha team Steve Rodgers is back in the paddock with a single Yamaha R1 and a team that will be built around Ray “When Steve Rodgers and the Raceways team left the paddock I thought that was a real shame because that was one of the biggest teams in the paddock I would have said that one of the biggest teams in the paddock leaving was a bit of a blow to the Championship “But to have Steve and Raceways come back is great for the Championship I did not think it would be long until Steve got pulled back into the fold after a year out.  Steve was interested in acquiring the services of Brad Ray a year or two back that is the perfect way to come back into the sport It is fantastic that we have another new team coming back into BSB with a top rider as well.  there has been some bad news for Joe Talbot After finishing runner-up in the 2024 Superstock Championship the young star was supposed to make his British Superbike debut in 2025 Talbot will not be on the grid and instead will race in the British Supersport series with Binch Racing on a Ducati V2 and that looked like a really nice ride for him with a team built around him and with Mark Woodage as his crew chief and it had all been ‘Dad and Lad’ stuff really I don’t mean that they have a lot of funding behind them; it is a case of working as hard as possible at home and putting everything into racing there was no way they were going to be able to afford a ride in a BSB team it was so late in the build-up to the season that there were no rides available anyway.  “I am pleased that he is still in the paddock I sent him a message not long after I had heard the news saying that I hope he is ok and his main concern was that he did not feel he could afford to spend a year out of racing at this point in his career whilst I am sure he would rather be lining up with the BSB lot to have a Supersport ride is not a bad step for him.  because last year some of the manufacturers started coming to the party and I think it is going to be the strongest Supersport field that we have had for years and I will be fascinated to see how he gets on I will be surprised if he is not knocking on the door of the podium But it is not as easy as it seems to move from Superstock to Supersport he has got to adapt his brain to that and also equally he has had minimal testing on a Supersport bike.  “I don’t think it will take him too long to adjust to the British Supersport Championship he catches the eye of one or two BSB teams and gets himself back where he belongs next year.” it was announced that Faye Ho’s FHO Racing Team would not participate in the upcoming year and the new MLav Racing Team have entered the series “I think it is a disappointment to lose any team they did really well on the roads with [Peter] Hickman but it just did not really work out in BSB.  “Whether that is down to the fact that they did not have the right bikes at the right time There are all sorts of rumours about what went on behind closed doors “I think it is a disappointment that Faye and the team have shut down but it would have been more of a disappointment if there had not been a direct replacement I think that would have been a little damaging with Hickman and [Davey] Todd running their own team and MLav coming in as well.  and it has kept BMW at the forefront in the Championship They could do with a good year in the Championship because it has been a struggle for them “It is disappointing that the FHO team are no longer there but I think we have gained two very good teams in its place.” The MLav Racing Team has been a major talking point as the team is owned by British Superbike race winner Laverty and Day work together for TNT Sports but Day confirmed that he was not aware of his colleague’s team's arrival in British Superbikes until the day it was announced “You would think where I am a friend of his and a colleague of his that I would have known that it was coming,” Day explained.  I had heard about the Faye Ho situation and that she was pulling out Then it was only when I was covering the Qatar Grand Prix that I suddenly found out that he was entering a BSB team I believe he has jumped in and taken some of Faye’s equipment I don’t know if that is common knowledge or not with Michael as well as running his academy and things like that he has always had a desire to run a BSB team “He has such a fondness for the Championship himself the British paddock in general loves Michael I think it is something that has always been on his radar I am guessing that because Faye’s team were closing their doors and there was stuff for sale Michael jumped in and said that he would give it a go “The great thing about Michael is that he is a classy operator in general I think this will be done on a fairly light budget to begin with But I think it is great to have his presence in the paddock at a time when we have been losing a team or two To get someone like MLav involved is really good for the sport and the Championship “I am really pleased for Richard Kerr as well because I don’t think Kerr or Dan Linfoot got the rides they deserved following on from their season in Superstock a couple of years ago Richard has only had a couple of plays out in BSB and I know that Michael is fond of Richard as well.  “It is nice to have a new team and one that we know will immediately be a proper operation.” Across the three pre-season tests for the British Superbike Championship the main contenders appear to be from Yamaha and Ducati The four names that appeared at the sharp end at every test were: Glenn Irwin Day refuses to believe that the likes of Tommy Bridewell and Leon Haslam will not be in the hunt for their second British Superbike titles “I do not think that Tommy [Bridewell] tends to put too much pressure on himself during testing I think the Honda is still a great bike and that he will be there,” Day explained when the idea of 2025 being a Yamaha vs Ducati season Leon [Haslam] has taken to the Moto Rapido team well “I thought some of the rookies looked good as well Scott Swann was fast at Donington Park as well Brookes and Jackson were not far away; all the names that you expect to see up there were up there “I did not look at the timesheets and have any worries for anyone There was nothing that I looked at and then thought that they might struggle this year you don’t really know until we get to the opening round and see We have ended up with more teams than we were meant to have it looks like everyone is fairly fit and healthy  The Island Line on the Isle of Wight has returned to full service following Octavius’ completion of a nine-month programme of critical repairs to Ryde Pier is the gateway for passenger traffic to and from the island allowing rail passengers crossing by ferry to board rail services Octavius used an innovative approach to accessing the track and supporting structure that the firm said saved both time and money This technique included adopting a tensioned access platform (TAP) instead of traditional scaffolding Ryde Pier is believed to be the first marine application of TAP on a UK rail project and only the second time the system has been used on a Network Rail scheme Where there was no alternative to scaffolding Octavius discussed how it worked with nature floating pre-assembled spans into position on pontoons and then using the high tide to raise the assembly up to the pier’s underside The project’s scope included removing and replacing 590m of rail and replacing 450 wooden sleepers with weather resistant fibre-reinforced foamed urethane sleepers It also included the installation of 2,500m of new rail bearers and the refurbishment of the underside of the pier sub structure  The entire signalling system was also replaced With the absence of a rail access point close to the site bringing new materials onto the pier meant creating a new rail access point close to the structure the new access point has been retained as a permanent asset awarded Octavius the design and build contract to entirely repair and refurbish all of the pier’s track-related infrastructure Octavius project manager Conor Wilcox said: “With handing back the pier comes the satisfaction of an engaging rewarding project delivered ahead of schedule and on budget “In addition to the trains running along the pier once more Ryde’s legacy includes innovations that have taken on a life beyond this project.”  Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Tagged with: Network Rail is gearing up to complete 359 projects worth £67.4M over… Network Rail and its engineers are preparing for the installation of new… Network Rail and its supply chain carried out works across the country… which shows the difference between the… after the latest in a series of engineering possessions which have disrupted Island Line services for several years The latest work meant that the Victorian pier which provides a link with ferries to the mainland The pier has always been under siege from the maritime weather and the new sleepers are made of a composite material which should last longer than the wood it has replaced The first train departed from Ryde St Johns at 05.23 arriving at Ryde Pier Head six minutes later and the first service from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin left at 06.03 The whole route between Ryde and Shanklin has also been closed for a week so that engineers could install cable ducts under the track at Brading test the signals and remove building materials from the pier Drivers were also given refresher training Network Rail pointed out that today’s opening is four days ahead of schedule Wessex route renewals director George Murrell said: ‘I’m delighted that full Island Line services have resumed this morning four days ahead of schedule and in time for the May Day Bank Holiday This is a busy and important time for the Island’s tourism industry in which the railway has a critical role to play ‘We’re aware this has been a long project and I’m grateful to the support we’ve received and patience and understanding from businesses reliable and high performing railway and the completion of this significant and complex programme of vital repairs and maintenance will greatly support us in meeting this aspiration Please click here  to send an email to Platform at Railnews Moderated comments will be published on this site and may also be used in the next print edition Back to News Use Full Site contact@railnews.co.uk Kyle Ryde returns to defend British Superbikes title as 2025 season begins Kyle Ryde Kyle Ryde admits he is “fortunate” after his 2025 British Superbike Championship was given a second chance. The unexpected collapse of OMG Racing, who Ryde won the 2024 BSB title with, left the reigning champion without a bike just weeks before the new season. But the involvement of Nitrous Competitions has brought OMG Racing back into the paddock, and allowed Ryde to compete. The season begins this weekend at Oulton Park. Ryde said: “I think testing has been good; Donington Park was really good, but that’s because I always seem to go well there, my bike does too and it’s my favourite track. “Donington was a positive test and it felt like I had a good chance of getting a trophy if we were to set off straight away. “Oulton Park was a bit more difficult and the complete opposite of Donington. We got used to the track again and bedded in four sets of new discs, which took time, but it was ideal really. “On the second day, we got going a bit faster. We need to find a bit more speed on one lap pace, but I’m just comparing myself to Bradley who did a 32.9 and we won’t be doing that speed in the race. “I felt really good on used tyres, pace wise for the race, it is just the qualifying part we need to work on a little bit. “But the be all and end all was I had not rode my bike since October last year when I won the championship before the Donington test, and I am just very lucky and very fortunate to be in this position. “I need to obviously thank Alan, Paul, and the team at Nitrous Competitions. I wouldn’t be here defending my 2024 British Championship without them. I am looking forward to Oulton Park this weekend and I can’t wait to see the number one again when I get there. “I want to enjoy having the number one plate and I will be doing my best to keep it until the end of 2026 for my team, friends, family and everyone who supports me.” © Crash Media Group Ltd 2025.The total or partial reproduction of text photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form Below you’ll find the latest features highlighting the upcoming events here on the Isle of Wight If you would like to promote an event to OnTheWight readers, find out more Our Travel section is the place to check for fast and accurate travel updates from all the ferry companies we’ll also let you know about road closures and diversions Below are articles relating to Isle of Wight travel Isle of Wight Observer News which meant that their greens were in good condition for this stage in the season Ryde Marina Bowls Club recently played their first serious match of the season The opponents were the Warwickshire County Ladies who were on the Island for the weekend and brought so many players with them that they asked if the Ryde Club could assemble eight rinks of four players in each rink Being the only club on the Island with two greens with the help of some of their men to make up the numbers After 18 ends the result was a win for the tourists by 155 shots to 110 with Ryde winning in only one of the eight games The match was played in a great spirit and enjoyed by all so go along and give it a try (all equipment provided) vision and plans for the future and how we deliver our services We do more than tackle fires and rescue people Catch up with all the latest that we have been involved in We’re proud to support and protect the wonderfully diverse community in which we serve We’re committed to keeping our communities safe well and informed and our prevention and protection work plays a large role in this Behind every firefighter there are specialist support teams all playing their part If you need to get in touch or find a form Ryde firefighters will once again be taking part in a charity car wash Bring your car down to the Tesco Extra on Brading Road for a sparkling clean while supporting a great cause close to our hearts Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Interested in becoming a Wholetime Firefighter Come to our recruitment open day at Ryde fire station on Saturday 1 March and learn more about the role and get hands-on with firefighting equipment Visit our careers pages to read more about becoming a firefighter Kyle Ryde will defend his BSB title after Nitrous Competitions saved the day by reviving the OMG Racing team Kyle Ryde 2024 BSB champion Kyle Ryde will line up on this year's grid after all, thanks to Nitrous Competitions reviving the OMG Racing project less than two weeks after it cancelled plans to race in 2025 Ryde was set to defend his crown with OMG Racing before its shocking announcement to leave the series due to "unforeseen commercial circumstances" was made With the team's announcement coming just before the first of three official pre-season tests at Navarra It meant OMG Racing and Ryde were unable to take part in the two-day test However, Nitrous Competitions has now come to the rescue by reviving the team and therefore allowing Ryde to not only defend his championship, but to keep riding a Yamaha R1 Nitrous Competitions owns one of the UK’s largest competition websites with over £100m in prizes won by the public since its inception in 2018 The company runs draws almost daily that include motorcycles Over 100,000 winners have been crowned through the brand's online competitions in the last eight years said: “Making the decision that OMG Racing wouldn’t be competing this year was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in relation to the team as challenging for a back-to-back title is a dream "When we were contacted by Nitrous Competitions and I can safely say I’ve never been so excited for a season as I am for 2025 Nitrous Competitions Owners] & their team have a deep passion for motorsport as shown by their dedication to supporting us & Kyle We can’t wait to get cracking as OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing in 2025!” Round one of the 2025 BSB season gets underway on 3-5 May at Oulton Park Find all the latest BSB news on Visordown.com exclusives and promotions direct to your inbox For more information, read our Privacy Policy Next BSB Announces New International Broadcast Deal Robert JonesNews editorAfter graduating with a sports journalism degree Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021 Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test Kyle Ryde and OMG Racing have partnered with Nitrous Competitions to defend their BSB title Reigning BSB Champion Kyle Ryde has been given a late lifeline for the 2025 season thanks to a “rescue plan” for OMG Racing OMG announced on 1 April that it would not be taking part in the 2025 BSB season due to commercial issues, but what the British Superbike Championship is calling a “rescue plan” brought to OMG by Nitrous Competitions the team and Ryde are now re-confirmed for the upcoming season a bombshell was dropped when OMG Racing announced their shock withdrawal from the Championship as result of commercial circumstances rendering the championship-winning team and rider on the sidelines,” a British Superbike statement reads “In the following days an introduction made with Nitrous Competitions and a rescue plan was invoked The prize is a restoration of the team in a restructured format allowing the championship defence to go ahead.” Read more: Bradley Ray gets BSB lifeline with Raceways Yamaha It means that Ryde will return to BSB this year to defend his title with the same team – albeit in the aforementioned “restructured format” – and Yamaha R1 motorcycle he claimed it with last year “I am just so happy to be able to defend the title with the team after the panic of the last week,” said Ryde “This is the best scenario for me after what happened; I have my familiar bike and team ready to defend the number one plate “I need to thank everyone who has been working so hard behind the scenes to make this happen and now we are ready to get going.” co-owner of Nitrous Competitions added: “This is such an exciting venture for myself and co-owner Matt Phillips I am a huge fan of the sport and even currently race myself “For this opportunity to come and for us to be involved is a dream come true and we can’t wait to see Kyle and the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing team in action.” “Our customers at Nitrous Competitions are one big family to us and we hope that today’s news will bring plenty of winning opportunities for everyone in 2025.” An alternative plan has also been announced for Bradley Ray, who will race for the Raceways Yamaha team this season. Island Line will fully reopen between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin on Friday 2 May in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend following an intensive and complex programme of work to repair and refurbish Ryde Pier The line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head has been closed since 6 September 2024 while Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) engineers have worked tirelessly to repair and preserve the historic Ryde Pier structure Upgrades will make the pier and railway line more resilient to extreme weather ensuring that services can continue to run safely and reliably for generations to come Prior to the full reopening on Friday 2 May the entire line from Shanklin to Ryde Pier Head will close from Saturday 26 April to allow engineers to complete final preparations for the resumption of services replacement buses will operate instead of trains the line will reopen at the start of service on Friday 2 May The first service will depart Ryde St Johns at 05:23 and arrive at Ryde Pier Head at 05:29 The first train from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin will depart at 06:03 Engineers will return to the line later this year to complete additional upgrades replacing the rail between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road as well as the footbridge at Ryde St Johns Road Further details about these upgrades will be announced in due course Network Rail Wessex route renewals director said: “I’m delighted that we’re going to be able to fully reopen the Island Line early and in time for the May Bank Holiday which we know is a busy and important time for the Island’s tourism industry “We’re now on the home stretch of this work and while I know it will be disappointing we will need to close the line for the week preceding the resumption of services to finish the final pieces of work safety checks and prepare the railway for the first service early on Friday 2 May residents and businesses on the Island Line for their patience and understanding while we’ve undertaken this programme of critical repairs and upgrades “We look forward to the resumption of services on 2 May.” said: “Fully reopening Island Line on Friday 2 May ahead of schedule and in time for the early May bank holiday is fantastic news for customers and the Isle of Wight particularly as we enter the busy tourism season “The early reopening is due to the brilliant efforts of SWR and Network Rail colleagues who have worked extremely hard since last September to make necessary repairs to Ryde Pier “These repairs allow us to resume services from Ryde Pier Head station all the way through to Shanklin and will preserve the historic pier for many years to come “We’re extremely grateful to our customers and Islanders for their patience while these important works were completed and look forward to welcoming them back for the full service soon.” to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years Kyle Ryde will get the chance to defend his Bennetts British Superbike Championship crown this year following a sensational turn of events within the OMG Racing team The reigning champions sent shockwaves throughout the paddock and BSB fanbase on April 1 when the team announced its withdrawal from the championship just a few days before the opening pre-season test at Navarra the team stated that “due to a significant unforeseen commercial matter” they would not be on the grid 2022 champion Bradley Ray and newcomer Joe Talbot without rides with just a month to go until the opening round the team has now been saved following a new partnership being formed with Nitrous Competitions The rescue deal sees the team rebranded as OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing whilst Ryde will continue to race the Yamaha R1 “I am just so happy to be able to defend the title with the team after the panic of the last week,” Ryde said I need to thank everyone who has been working so hard behind the scenes to make this happen and now we are ready to get going.” Ryde and the team will make their first appearance at the two-day Donington Test on April 18-19 with Ryde running the number one plate following his dramatic title win last season Ryde won the title by a single point after a stunning final race victory against Tommy Bridewell A further two-days of testing is scheduled at Oulton Park on April 23-24 with the Cheshire circuit also hosting round one on May 3-5 “This is such an exciting venture for me and co-owner Matt Phillips,” Dave Williams “I am a huge fan of the sport and even currently race myself too For this opportunity to come and for us to be involved is a dream come true and we can’t wait to see Kyle and the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing team in action.” The new OMG team will be a one-rider effort with Ray joining forces with Steve Rodgers and the returning Raceways Yamaha team for the upcoming season Sports Reporter - Motorcycle racing enthusiast Josh joined the MCN team in 2019 He studied Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland leaving with a 2:1 and a Gold Standard Diploma in Journalism from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Introduced to the world of motorcycle racing by his dad as a youngster Josh became a huge Valentino Rossi supporter…little did he know that years later he would ask a question or two to the man himself By Josh Close Sports Reporter and fan of all things motorsport Home | British Superbikes | Kyle Ryde will remain in the British Superbike Championship After some last minute changes the OMG Racing Team and Kyle Ryde will remain on the BSB grid Reigning Bennetts British Superbike Champion Kyle Ryde will be back to defend his title with OMG Racing Just twelve days ago, OMG Racing announced their shock withdrawal from the Championship as a result of commercial circumstances an introduction was made with Nitrous Competitions and a rescue plan was created The OMG Racing Team will remain on the grid in a restructured format allowing the championship defence to go ahead The OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Team will field only field one rider with Kyle Ryde on a Yamaha R1 Ther reigning British Champion will be on track next weekend at the Donington Park test Ryde said: “I am just so happy to be able to defend the title with the team after the panic of the last week This is the best scenario for me after what happened; I have my familiar bike and team ready to defend the number one plate co-owner of Nitrous Competitions commented: “This is such an exciting venture for myself and co-owner Matt Phillips I am a huge fan of the sport and even currently race myself too For this opportunity to come and for us to be involved is a dream come true and we can’t wait to see Kyle and the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing team in action “Our customers at Nitrous Competitions are one big family to us and we hope that today’s news will bring plenty of winning opportunities for everyone in 2025!” Officers are trying to trace a woman who they believe was the victim of an assault that occurred in The Veteran Pub in Ryde Esplanade on the evening of Saturday Police were alerted to the incident by a member of staff within the pub who saw a man grab the woman over her clothes Officers deployed to the incident but when they arrived Were you in the pub between 7.30pm and 8.30pm last night A 29-year-old man from Lake has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and has been released under investigation Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service are pleased to announce that Ryde Fire Station became a wholetime crewed station on 1 January 2025 offering a 24/7 response Previously Ryde Fire Station had been crewed during the day but incidents overnight have been responded to by our on-call firefighters Now with day and night wholetime crews on the island based at Ryde and Newport offering 24/7 immediate response the service can offer a quicker response to incidents and take part in more prevention work including home fire safety visits in the evening HIWFRS Station Manager for Ryde Fire Station said: “This is a fantastic addition for not only Ryde but also for the wider island community This long-term investment has demonstrated the services commitment to the island and will give greater flexibility and resilience in how we operate ultimately making our crews and members of the public safer.” The Service is also making a multi-million-pound investment in its fire stations This includes upgrades to Newport and Ryde fire stations to create modern and fit-for-purpose workplaces including improvements to contamination management and inclusive welfare facilities for crews This is alongside upgrading some of our vehicle fleet across the island to ensure that we provide our crews and officers with reliable and well-equipped vehicles