Ray made an impressive switch from BSB, where he wa💯s champion in 2022, to the Motoxracing Yamaha team f💝or the 2023 WorldSBK season.

A points scorer on many occasions, Ray showed flashes of being able to run with the top riders💮, however, learn♋ing the WorldSBK-spec machine, Pirelli tyres and new circuits limited him to a degree.

• Vierge: 2023 ‘intense🥀, always fighting through adversities’ 
• Big names set to open 2024 World♎SBK testing at Jerez this month

But with the first test of 2024 coming up next week at Jerez, Ray, who has a♑lready t𒊎aken the covers off his R1, feels a big jump forward is coming.

Speaking to at the team presentation, Ray added: “We have to start again from the results we achieved last year and I have pretty high expectat𝔍ions of myself for this season,”

“I think we will be able to do a really great job. We will be competing in one more race but there are also two new tracks for everyone [🌊Cremona, Balaton Park]. 

“The level of the championship is higher than ever, so it will be difficult and we will have to work hard, but I think it is possജible to get on the podium. 

“If everything goes well, with this team and my talent, there’s n🍃o r😼eason why we can’t fight up there.”

Reflecting on last season🎃, Ray did have his tough moments and believes that was largely because of the level of competition that’s in WorldSBK at the moment.

“It was a good season, difficult at times,” added Ray. “But I think there are always difficult tiꩵmes in WorldSBK, especially with the level it has now reached. 

“There is a big diff🐻erence between [the bikes in] BSB and WorldSBK, in terms of the electronics, so I had to learn to ride 🦩a different way and adapt my riding style. 

“I had to learn so many things, such as the tracks, the bike with its e🐷lectronics and also how to work with an Italian team. 

“There were difficult times but🐷 overall we made progress and achieved good results.ღ”

‘Will be nice to have Rea with us’

From one Ray to another, six-time world champi🐬on Jonat♌han Rea has joined Yamaha for the 2024 season, Bradley is convinced new ideas will be brought to, not only the factory team, but the whole Yamaha program.

Ray said: “It will be a great t🥀hing because Jonathan has✤ a lot of experience with Honda and Kawasaki. 

“I think he will bring new ideas to Yamaha and sinc▨e the tests it seems like they have already started working well together. It will be nice to have Jonathan with us.”