Kyle gets ticket to Ryde with OMG Racing as Rees leaves Astro JJR

Kyle Ryde, aged 23, has agreed to join the team for the 2021 BSB Championship, joining the team after a successful season, ending the year as the top points-scorer from the factory Suzuki team.

Ryde, who has signed a two-year deal, will ride one of the team’s new BMW M1000RR’s as he looks to build on his 2020 successes, which saw him claim his maiden BSB win at Silverstone.

The youngest-ever British 125cc champion, Ryde has also competed in the British Superstock 600 series and GP2 championship, as well as three seasons in the World Superbike paddock.

Talks are also continuing with several riders for the team’s second superbike seat, following the departure of Luke Mossey and Hector Barbera.

The team has already secured the services of Isle of Man TT winner James Hillier to compete on the roads in 2021, as well as Dakar Rally in 2022.

Team principal Paul Curran, from Cannock, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kyle to the team for the 2021 season.

"He’s one of the championship’s top young talents and we’re looking forward to see him settle in on the M1000RR.

"He impressed a lot of people on the Suzuki last season, obviously a double win at Silverstone stands out but throughout the season he has been consistently on the pace.

"He’s a great lad with a sensible head on his shoulders who just wants to get out there and ride his bike, his attitude and hunger to win is exactly what we wanted to take the team forward.

"We’re already hard at work in the workshop preparing for next season, and we look forward to announcing his teammate in due course.”

Alan Gardner, team owner, added: “We’re very excited to announce that Kyle Ryde will join us for the 2021 season.

"I think it speaks volumes about our setup that we’ve been able to attract a rider of his calibre.

"After a tough 2020 for the BMW, we’re very excited to work with the new M1000RR and our target is to be well in contention for podiums and race wins.

"We’ve come so far as a team in just a short time in the series, we’re building a very exciting line-up for next season, with two riders joining the team to ride our new machinery, as well as a busy roads season and preparations for the 2022 Dakar.

"Safe to say we’re looking forward to what 2021 will bring.”

There have also been a few changes behind the scenes at Brownhills-based Astro JJR, with one rider leaving team after a successful debut National Superstock 1000 campaign in 2020.

Team owner Stuart Tromans confirmed rookie New Zealander Damon Rees – who finished eighth in the championship this year – would not be resigning for next year.

But he was able to secure the services of his fellow countryman, Shane Richardson, for a third-straight year.

"It will come as no surprise that after a very good rookie season Damon has attracted a lot of interest from other teams," said Tromans.

"This, also along with his valuable support from Carl Cox Motorsport, means it is with regret he will be moving on from us for 2021. We wish him well.

"However, Shane Richardson will be staying with us for a third year.

"We have unfinished business with Shane in the Stock 1000 class and after a low-key season, by his high expectations, both myself and James feel he fully deserves another shot, and racing against Damo next year should bring out the friendly Kiwi rivalry.

"We are now currently in negotiations with a number of high-profile riders to run along side Shane next year on brand-new BMW S1000RRs, thus giving our riders the best possible equipment available for the job.

"We also hope to have some exciting news regarding a junior team for 2021, thus proving we value a pathway for talent without the quick-fix pressure that abounds in the BSB paddock. We look forward seeing you all in 2021."