The 2026 British Superbikes at Brands Hatch saw an exhilarating qualifying session, with Kyle Ryde setting a new all-time lap record. Ryde, a reigning champion, has been working tirelessly on his Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions bike, and his efforts paid off. With a committed and clean lap, Ryde claimed the top spot with a stunning 1m 23.954s, breaking the previous record and achieving the first 1m 23s lap at Brands Hatch in BSB history.
The battle for the podium was intense, with Scott Redding, a fellow Ducati rider, finishing just 0.417s behind Ryde. Max Cook secured third place, but was over half a second off the new benchmark. Christian Iddon and Bradley Ray completed the top five, with Iddon's strong performance elevating him from eleventh to fourth. Leon Haslam, despite facing issues with his Moto Rapido Ducati, managed to secure sixth place.
The third row featured Glenn Irwin, who returned from injury, and Rory Skinner, who impressed with his Yamaha. Skinner, in particular, stood out as the best rider to move up from Q1, showcasing his skill and adaptability. Joe Talbot, a late qualifier, secured a spot in the top 10, while Ilya Mikhalchik, the sole BMW in the class, finished 11th.
The qualifying session also highlighted the dominance of Honda bikes, with 9 out of 11 Q1 bikes from the company. However, Ryan Vickers, the top rider for the manufacturer, struggled with his squirrelly Honda, finishing 13th. Charlie Nesbitt, who had already injured his hand, was unfortunately unable to participate in Q1 due to a fall on Friday.
This qualifying session sets the stage for an exciting race, with Ryde's new record and the close competition among the top riders. The battle for the championship is heating up, and the upcoming race at Brands Hatch promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the potential for new records and unexpected twists.
