It was a tough weekend for Bradley Ray at the last round of the WorldSBK Championship, with his progress not reflecting in the race results.

Conditions were cool and sunny at Motorland Aragon in Spain for the second day of action making up round ten of the WorldSBK championship.

Friday saw Bradley Ray compete in the first practice sessions and place twentieth with a best time of 1’52”194.

In Saturday’s final practice, the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK rider improved on his lap time (1’50”939) while preparing for the subsequent Superpole. 

In the qualifying session, Ray stopped the clock on 1’50”052, placing seventeenth, which meant a sixth row start for the afternoon’s first race.

Brad got away well when the lights went out but was then unable to find the kind of rhythm that would allow him to gain ground. Holding his place within the chasing group, the English rider crossed the line in eighteenth position. 

The Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK rider will be back out at Aragon tomorrow for the Superpole race and the second and final Superbike race.

Speaking after race one, Ray said: “We made a few modifications for the race and now we need to analyse the data and make a plan for tomorrow’s races. I know that the tea and I can do better, and so we’re working hard to prepare for the next races!

I’m still confident and know that it will all come together! Thanks to my team and to Yamaha for all their great work.” 

On Sunday Ray was back on track for the ten-lap Superpole Race. He made a fast start but was then unable to find the kind of pace that would allow him to make up positions, which meant he crossed the line eighteenth.

Race 2 got underway in the afternoon. Ray again got away well when the lights went out, holding his position. But despite giving it his all, Bradley could not find the necessary speed to catch those ahead up him, the rider finishing the race in seventeenth place.

Speaking after the weekend, Ray said: “I feel that the results achieved this weekend don’t respect the work we’ve done or our true potential. This is a difficult track for the Yamaha.

“I was losing a lot out of the corners and also down the long straight. In Race 2 my feeling with the bike was better than it had been all weekend, and so I hope we can start from a good base when we get to Portimão.

“Thanks to the whole team for always believing in me and for having worked so hard here.”