Reigning Bennetts British Superbike king Bradley Ray will join the WorldSBK grid as part of the Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team, competing in the European rounds for 2023.

After a stellar title-winning BSB season that included nine wins and 23 podiums, Ray will now have the opportunity to show his talents on the world stage, with the British rider’s campaign set to begin at the championship’s third round at Assen.

Ray enjoyed an impressive junior career, both nationally and internationally, finishing seventh overall as a 15-year-old in the 2012 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, while he took his maiden victory in the championship the following year. In 2014, he finished fourth in the final standings, faring well against the likes of MotoGP’s Jorge Martin and Joan Mir, as well as Yamaha’s 2021 WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

“After what’s been an incredible debut year with Yamaha in the UK delivering nine wins and 23 podiums in part one of my career quest to become British Superbike champion, I’m absolutely delighted that Yamaha have rewarded me with this opportunity to take the next step with the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team,” said Ray, who is now contracted to Yamaha Europe.

“I’ve dreamed of being World Superbike Champion since my race debut at three years old and I’m only too aware that it wouldn’t be possible without the support of a manufacturer like Yamaha and the team I have around me.

“I’m very keen to get started in WorldSBK and hope to follow in the footsteps of many of the successful Brits in the Championship. It’s time to take aim for that next title, step by step.”