‘There is a platform to World Superbike’ - Kyle Ryde on why he joined BMW
Kyle Ryde is one of several young riders in the British Superbike class that has the chance to fight for the title in 2021, and to do so, he will be on joining BMW with Rich Energy OMG Racing.
2020 was Ryde’s first season in the top class aboard the Buildbase Suzuki, as he took a maiden double win at Silverstone in what was an impressive season for the top Suzuki points scorer.
In 2021, Ryde will be on the brand new BMW M 1000 RR package that replaces the S 1000 RR, and the 23 year-old is excited to get his first taste of it.
"Yeah we will be on the new M 1000 RR for sure, so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Ryde.
"I spoke to some friends I know who have been riding it in the World Endurance Championship and they said it was much better than the previous bike which is the one that was in BSB.
"It didn’t get any amazing results, but it was still there or there about at the time and with Bradley Ray on it. He finished in the top five on a few occasions, so it had potential but the new bike will only get better.
"So yeah I’m really happy to have signed with the OMG team, and it's a two year deal as well which is great. Having two years on the BMW and with the team, hopefully we can do some good things.”
One of the reasons Ryde made the move to Rich Energy and BMW is the potential pathway it provides.
For the last few World Superbike seasons, only the factory BMW team had been competing in the series, but in 2021 there will be four BMW backed bikes on the grid.
This could lead to more opportunities for riders in BSB, and Ryde spoke about this and what it would mean to compete in WorldSBK or the Grand Prix paddock one day.
"Yeah of course, so that’s the reason I signed with BMW because there is a platform to World Superbikes.
"There were other options that I thought were better, but choosing BMW is looking at the bigger picture too.
"Going to World Superbikes or MotoGP would be great and the path Jake Dixon took is probably one he didn’t expect to take, but that’s something I would consider if I can do good things in BSB. Going to Moto2 would be great.
"You can see what it has done for Jake Dixon. But firstly I have a two year deal here in BSB and want to do well here.”
