The wait is over for Bradley Ray as the Lydd racer returns to action this weekend.

Last year's British Superbikes champion has made the switch to the world stage with Italy's World Superbikes team Yamaha Motoxracing for the European rounds of the series, starting at Assen in Holland.

After missing the first two flyaway races in Australia and Indonesia, Ray is playing catch-up but has nine rounds to show what he’s made of before missing the end-of-season trip to Argentina.

“I'm really looking forward to finally getting to Assen and having my first race of the season," he said. "It's been a long time since I last raced in October 2022 and so it will be good to race a full weekend."

Ray is no stranger to the WSBK, having taken part in two races for Buildbase Suzuki, finishing 14th and 15th at Donington. That was five years ago, though, and after six seasons in BSB pre-season testing this winter was even more important as he aims to become at one with his new bike so he can hopefully challenge early 2023 pacesetter Alvaro Bautista.

“We tested many things on our bike and I’m sure we are now on the right path as we prepare for our first WorldSBK round,” Ray said after his final pre-race test in Barcelona.

“We’ve worked hard over the winter and all that’s left to do now is head to Assen and score some good results. I can’t wait to run my first race with the Motoxracing team."

Team principal Sandro Carusi is keen to see what his squad can do as Motoxracing hit the track in anger for the first time this season.

“I am eager to get to Assen to compare ourselves with the other teams and understand what our true potential is," he said.

"In the tests we have carried out, all our opponents have never been there at the same time and it will therefore be a very interesting comparison. I believe that in Assen you will actually see how much we can still grow."