McAMS Yamaha Bound for Assen as 2026 BSB Showdown Commences

McAMS Yamaha Bound for Assen as 2026 BSB Showdown Commences

After a two-week break, McAMS Yamaha return to action this weekend in the British Superbike and British Supersport Championships, as the 2026 season showdown kicks off at TT Circuit Assen.

With round nine of the 2026 season set to unfold this weekend, the team’s BSB effort, spearheaded by Bradley Ray, maintains high hopes following a recent run of strong form. The last three rounds have brought the squad seven podium finishes in the premier class, closing the gap to second in the championship standings to just 31 points ahead of this weekend’s action.

After showing considerable speed at the circuit last season – including a sensational pole position with a time of 1:35.529 – Ray and the team head into the weekend with confidence, ready to push forward in the standings and translate that proven speed into results among the top three.

In the British Supersport Championship, Australia’s Ben Currie is set to embark on the next leg of his return to the front following his crash at Oulton Park at the end of July.

Returning to the Yamaha R9 saddle for the first time at Cadwell Park two weeks ago, the #61 rider pushed through the pain barrier to exceed expectations, proving competitive in the opening race of the weekend before a technical issue brought his running to an unfortunate early end.

Now even closer to full fitness, Currie sees the upcoming weekend as another crucial step in his recovery and views the weekend as an opportunity to return to fighting at the front.

Lincolnshire’s Harry Truelove flew the flag high for McAMS Yamaha at his home circuit last time out, securing a third podium finish of his 2026 campaign and further strengthening his feeling for the developing R9 package.

The team’s British Supersport Championship prospects for this weekend are further strengthened by the Yamaha R9’s proven performance at TT Circuit Assen. In the model’s first year of competition in the FIM Supersport World Championship, Stefano Manzi claimed a well-earned victory at the circuit en route to the 2025 title.

Earlier this year, the R9 also secured three additional podium finishes across two races on the world stage in the hands of Albert Arenas and the team’s Thruxton wildcard Can Öncü, further demonstrating the model’s competitiveness at the fast and flowing Dutch venue.

For Truelove and Currie, a further two races await this weekend, with the pair sitting fifth and sixth respectively in the standings. Keen to push forward across the board, the team’s weekend effort kicks off this Friday, beginning with an invaluable set of Free Practice sessions to lay the foundation for a strong weekend of racing.

Brad Ray

McAMS Yamaha – British Superbike Championship

“I’m really looking forward to getting back aboard the McAMS Yamaha R1 at TT Circuit Assen this weekend. We’ve had time to rest and reset since Cadwell Park, and we’re heading into the weekend with a strong feeling. The team and I have made great progress with the bike throughout the second half of the season, achieving seven podium finishes in the last three rounds, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that form translates into results at Assen as the season showdown gets underway. Assen has always been a circuit I’ve enjoyed, we showed some serious speed there last year, so we arrive at round nine feeling encouraged and prepared to bank three solid results as the points on offer increase. We’re confident in our ability to fight among the leading group and aim to end the weekend knocking on the door of second in the championship standings.”

Ben Currie

McAMS Yamaha – British Supersport Championship

“Assen will be an important weekend for myself and the team, I’m looking forward to progressing onto the next leg of my recovery. Our performance at Cadwell Park was really encouraging; despite still not being at 100%, we were able to produce a strong showing, which fills me with confidence heading into this weekend. My recovery since then has been positive, I’ve taken a big step forward and feel satisfied with the position I’m in heading into the weekend. I’m confident we have what it takes to arrive on Friday and be competitive from the off, ready to reunite with the team at McAMS Yamaha with the aim of producing a strong set of results!”

Harry Truelove

McAMS Yamaha – British Supersport Championship

“I’m looking forward to getting to Assen this weekend. We’re coming off the back of a strong race meeting at Cadwell Park, which has boosted my confidence aboard the Yamaha R9 as we head towards the closing stages of the year. We’re confident in our ability to fight at the front again, and we’ll arrive on Friday ready to further develop the R9 package at another new track. Assen is always a great circuit to ride – its fast, flowing nature will suit the Yamaha well, so we can look ahead to the weekend with high ambitions. Excited for what’s in store!”

Steve Rodgers

McAMS Yamaha – Team Principal

“The team is in a great place heading into the 2026 season showdown, with Brad’s recent run of strong form filling us with high hopes as Assen awaits this weekend. He was exceptionally strong from Free Practice 1 last year, and we’ll arrive at the track this weekend aiming to translate that speed into a handful of strong results and bank a solid haul of points to fight for the runner-up spot in the championship standings. On the R9 side of the garage, we’re looking forward to seeing what Ben and Harry can achieve at what will be a strong circuit for the developing package. The pair rode brilliantly last time out at Cadwell Park, and with Ben now even closer to full fitness, we can expect to see them running together at the front and fighting for podiums. Roll on Friday!”

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2026 British Superbike Championship

Pos Rider Team Bike PTS
1 Kyle Ryde Nitrous Coin Nitrous Competitions Racing Ducati Ducati 392
2 Scott Redding Hager PBM Racing Team Ducati 321
3 Brad Ray McAMS Yamaha Yamaha 289
4 Leon Haslam Moto Rapido Racing Ducati 260
5 Ryan Vickers Honda Racing UK Honda 235
6 Max Cook AJN Steelstock bimota Bimota 198
7 Rory Skinner FS-3 Racing Kawasaki Kawasaki 191
8 Christian Iddon Sencat Racing Yamaha Yamaha 133
9 Joe Talbot AJN Steelstock bimota Bimota 124
10 Lee Jackson DAO Racing Honda Honda 124

2026 Quattro Group British Supersport Championship

Pos Rider Team Bike PTS
1 Luke Stapleford Scars-Racing Ducati Ducati 351
2 Jack Kennedy Honda Racing UK Honda 290
3 Oli Bayliss Triumph Macadam Factory Racing Triumph 234
4 Dean Harrison Honda Racing UK Honda 232
5 Harry Truelove McAMS Yamaha Yamaha 197
6 Ben Currie McAMS Yamaha Yamaha 184
7 Oliver Barr Binch Pro Ducat Ducati 170
8 Carter Brown Binch Pro Ducati Ducati 132
9 Lucas Brown MSG Racing Suzuki Suzuki 117
10 Corey Tinker Josh Davis Motorsport Ducati 92