BSB race winner returns from WorldSBK “a better rider”

Ryan Vickers says he is a “better rider” in 2026 after spending a season in WorldSBK last year.

Vickers was already the third most victorious rider in 2024, his last BSB season before moving to World Superbike, when riding for the OMG Yamaha team. He won seven races that year, one behind Glenn Irwin and two behind his then-teammate and 2024 champion Kyle Ryde despite an injury in the middle of the season that saw him not finish six races in a row between the Donington and Knockhill rounds. 

Vickers’ performance in 2024 earned him a ride in World Superbike for 2025. Initially he was there on a two-year agreement with Motocorsa, but that concluded at the end of last season and Vickers returned to BSB – but at a higher level that that at which he left the series two years ago, he believes.

“Riding at such a high level in World Superbike, the guys there are super-fast,” Ryan Vickers told Crash.net at the Donington BSB test on 4 April.

“Just looking at their data, understanding it and improving myself as a rider, I’ve definitely come back a better rider. 

“So, that’s great, I can understand a lot for the team and help them develop the bike as well.”

Vickers’ return to BSB with Honda Racing UK sees him team up with Jason O’Halloran, himself making a return to the championship after a year in the Endurance World Championship with the YART team.

O’Halloran told Crash.net after the first day of the Donington test that finding improvements in braking without compromising the turning potential of his bike was a priority.

Vickers, though, felt that stopping was one of his strong points on the CBR1000RR-R, at least in part thanks to his experience in WorldSBK.

“I stop the bike really well,” Vickers said.

“I learnt a lot of that in World Superbike, and that’s probably my biggest advantage to Jason [O’Halloran] is how late I brake, and hard I brake. 

“I guess he’s just trying to find the confidence to allow him to do that, but I’m pretty happy with the braking stage of the bike. 

“More the latter stage, to edge of the tyre, and then a little bit more drive grip would be the things that I’m looking for.”