Jacksdale racer Kyle Ryde happy despite early exit from Thailand race in World Supersport series

Having secured 19th place on the grid and posted competitive times in the warm-up, the Jacksdale ace was determined to take the race by the scruff of the neck.

However, the 18-year-old succumbed to a costly coming-together with a fellow rider as early as the fourth lap which put paid to his hopes of finishing.

After good work done by Ryde’s Ranieri Med team during Saturday’s qualifying, they were expecting a strong performance in Sunday’s feature race.

Ryde pounced immediately, stealing into 15th place and eventually rising to 12th with just three laps gone.

However, whilst fighting with another rider on the fourth lap Ryde and his rival came together with such force that the handlebars’ left grip was completely torn from the bike.

Despite battling with his machine, Ryde and his team agreed in the interests of safety to pull out of the race.

Despite the early exit, Ryde says he is pleased with the fledging performance early on in the season.

He said: “I was very happy with the bike and I started great.

“But as we battled for places I had contact with another rider, our bikes touched and it caused a violent slap at the front end.

“I tried to ride it out but I had lost the left grip from the bars.

“I really loved my time in Thailand, everyone’s been so good to us and so kind it’s been amazing.

“The weather there is completely different to anything I’ve raced in before.

“But, at least we know what to expect when we come back next year.

“We know it won’t be as hot in Spain for the next round so hopefully we can push on and get some better luck when we get back onto the European circuits.”

Round three, in Spain, runs from April 1-3.