Ryde retains British Superbike Championship title

Kyle Ryde has become the first rider since 2017 to win back-to-back British Superbike Championship titles.

The 28-year-old beat rival Bradley Ray by 20 points to clinch the title at the final race of the season at Brands Hatch.

Ryde has become the first champion to defend the BSB title since Shane Byrne's double in 2016 and 2017.

The Yamaha rider headed into the final round with a 30-point margin over Ray, and looked to have put one hand on the title by finishing second in Sunday's sprint race behind Scott Redding, who won the opening two races.

But, in a wet third race, Ray put pressure on Ryde by finishing second behind Danny Kent, but the championship leader kept his cool to cross the line in sixth place to wrap up the title.

"It's amazing, both me and Brad had such a good season," Ryde, who won six races and claimed 14 podiums in 33 races, told TNT Sports.

"It's a shame one of us had to lose. It means so much, not just to be but my team."

Ryde's team-mate Glenn Irwin, who missed three rounds of the season with a pelvic injury, ended his campaign with an eighth and two 10th-placed finishes across the three races.

In a day of championships at Brands Hatch, Irish rider Rhys Irwin claimed the British Supersport title by four points ahead of Ben Currie.

Ukraine's Ilya Mikhalchik won the British Superstock title, while Barry Burrell triumphed in the BMW F900 R Cup.