Qualifying

The day started with a two-part qualifying session to determine the grid for Race 1.

Q1 Results

1. Jason O’Halloran (Kawasaki) – 1:28.773
2. Max Cook (Kawasaki) – 1:28.847
3. Lewis Rollo (Aprilia) – 1:29.171

The top two from Q1 progressed to Q2, joining the pre-qualified riders.

Q2 Results (Speedy Fast 15)

1. Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) – 1:27.428
2. Danny Kent (Yamaha) – 1:27.548 (+0.120s)
3. Josh Brookes (BMW) – 1:27.760 (+0.332s)
4. Charlie Nesbitt (Honda) – 1:27.829 (+0.401s)
5. Tommy Bridewell (Honda) – 1:27.882 (+0.454s)

Notable performances:

• Kyle Ryde secured pole position with a dominant lap
• Championship leader Tommy Bridewell qualified 5th
• Glenn Irwin, third in the championship, qualified 6th

Race 1

The first race of the weekend provided intense action and significant implications for the championship.

Race 1 Results

1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing)

1. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +2.071s
2. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +8.689s
3. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +8.972s
4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +9.710s

Key Points:

• Kyle Ryde led from start to finish, withstanding pressure from Bridewell
• Danny Kent made a costly mistake early on, dropping to 12th before recovering to 5th
• Glenn Irwin made a strong comeback to secure the final podium position
• Tommy Bridewell set the fastest lap of the race (1:27.741)
• Billy McConnell was disqualified post-race due to a technical infringement

Championship Standings After Race 1

1. Tommy Bridewell – 356 points
2. Kyle Ryde – 353 points (-3)
3. Glenn Irwin – 309 points (-47)
4. Christian Iddon – 251 points (-105)
5. Danny Kent – 250 points (-106)

Analysis

• Kyle Ryde’s victory has significantly closed the gap in the championship, now just 3 points behind Bridewell
• The pole position and race win demonstrate Ryde’s strong form at Donington Park
• Despite starting 5th, Bridewell’s second-place finish and fastest lap show his continued competitiveness
• Glenn Irwin’s podium keeps him in contention, but the gap to the top two is substantial
• Danny Kent’s recovery drive highlights the importance of consistency in the championship battle
• The close racing throughout the field promises exciting battles for Sunday’s races

The results from today have set up a thrilling conclusion to the weekend, with the championship battle intensifying between Ryde and Bridewell. Sunday’s races will be crucial in determining who leaves Donington Park with the championship lead.