Bradley Ray says he was shocked but delighted to take his maiden Bennetts British Superbike Championship win in the first race of the year.

The 20-year-old took the lead of this afternoon’s 18-lap race on the sixth lap after a blistering start, and then controlled the race all the way to the flag, seeing off a charge from James Ellison and then Shane Byrne on the final lap.

And as he celebrated his debut win, he admitted he never expected it so soon. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said. “It’s what you dream about when you’re coming up through the ranks of Supersport and Superstock. I just didn’t expect to get it in the first race of the new season.

“I said to team I wanted to patient at the start and sit behind and see where everyone was strong and weak because the temperatures weren’t that brilliant.

“I got into a rhythm, and thought I’d try and make some passes and see what happened. The pace was good but it was interesting to be behind Ellison for a few laps to see where he was strong.

“Even after I’d passed him I could hear him there through the whole race. I honestly thought he was going to make a lunge at the end but luckily we just had enough in there to make it across the line.

“I can’t wait for the rest of the season. It’s nice to get the monkey off your back and say we’ve got the win now. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”