Inside the risky world of Superbikes: Crashes at 200mph, fears over issues with ‘old-school tracks’ and top prizes of just £1,000 – after fatal ‘chain reaction’ smash left two riders dead
The 2025 British Superbike season got off to a tragic start on Monday after two riders died in a horrifying 11-bike pile-up at Oulton Park.
New Zealand’s Shane Richardson, 29, and England’s Owen Jenner, 21, passed away from their injuries following the ‘chain reaction’ crash on turn one of Monday’s race.
It is an incident that has shocked the racing world, with tributes pouring in for both men who died participating in a sport that they loved.
The crash was shown on live TV, but Superbike races generally do not get the same coverage as Moto GP, nor the pinnacle of motor racing, Formula One.
So, what do we know about Superbike racing?
Mail Sport answers all the questions you may have about the sport that continues to push boundaries.
Shane Richardson (left) and Owen Jenner (right) died in an 11-bike pile-up crash on Monday
The ‘chain reaction’ smash happened at a Superbike event at Oulton Park
Medics rushed to the scene but were unable to save Richardson and Jenner
When did the British Superbike Championship start?
The British Superbike Championship began back in 1988, and is still going strong.
The first ever title was won by England’s Darren Dixon on a Suzuki RG500.
Scotland’s Niall McKenzie established himself as the most successful rider of the 1990s, winning three successive championships between 1996 and 1998 on board his Yamaha YZF 750.
However, it is Londoner Shane Byrne who is the only rider to win the British Superbike Championship six times.
He enjoyed a sustained period of success that saw him triumph for the first time in 2003, and then win his final title 14 years later.
What speeds do they reach?
There is no holding back when it comes to top-level motorcycle racing.
British Superbike races see riders hit top speeds of 200mph, leading to thrilling wheel-to-wheel action. But flying around the track at such pace is fraught with danger.
By comparison, Moto GP – the highest class of motorcycle racing – has a top speed ever recorded of 227.5mph. That mark was set by South Africa’s Brad Binder during the Italian Grand Prix in 2023.
Formula One cars can go even faster, with Valtteri Bottas holding the record of 231mph.
Remarkably, the Finn achieved this during a practice session ahead of the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.
Superbike riders reach top speeds of up to 200mph during a race
Brad Binder (pictured) holds the record for the fastest speed in Moto GP history
Valtteri Bottas (pictured) reached the highest speed in F1 history in Mexico in 2016
How many races are there?
The 2025 season will consist of 11 race weekends, and it got underway on Saturday.
Monday was the finale of the opening race weekend of the campaign, but the event was cancelled following the fatal crash.
The next event is due to run from May 16 to May 18 at Donington Park.
Each of the 11 races this year will be held in the UK except for one which will take place in the Dutch city of Assen in September.
The season ends with three ‘showdown’ events, with the final race scheduled for Brands Hatch on October 19.
What safety measures are in place?
In order to compete, all riders must wear the necessary protective gear. This means donning full leathers, having protective armour for their elbows and knees, and a helmet with a chin guard.
The riders require a valid road or competition license, while they are also checked to ensure they are not under the influence of alcohol, drugs or certain medications prior to racing. Their motorcycles are also carefully inspected to ensure they are safe to ride prior to each race.
Emergency services must be available at every event. Medics rushed to the scene after Monday’s terrifying crash, but they were unable to save Richardson and Jenner.
Each venue must also pass inspections to ensure it it safe to race, while spectator areas must be clearly designated to keep them away from being exposed to any potential racing incidents.
Despite these measures being in place, there are still concerns over safety due to most races taking place at old-school tracks with small run-off areas.
Ahead of last year’s championship, Pirelli’s stickiest rear slick tyre was banned to reduce corner speeds. The thinking behind this was that less grip would mean riders would be travelling slower when they fall off, making it less likely for them to reach roadside barriers.
Explaining the move, race director Stuart Higgs said: ‘We don’t need to go any faster, so we’re peeling it back a bit.
‘We’re doing several things, like reducing the rev ceiling again, but the critical thing is the tyres. We don’t need banzai tyres for laps, we need something that’s predictable and durable.
‘We don’t need super, super, super edge grip, because when it lets go we’re f***ed.’
There are concerns over the lack of run-off areas at old-school tracks such as Brands Hatch (pictured)
The stickiest rear slick tyre was banned from the British Superbike Championship last year to reduce corner speeds
What prize money is on offer?
While Formula One and Moto GP racers earn millions every year, the same cannot be said for British Superbike riders.
For every round of the 2025 season, the winner of the main final will only receive £1,000.
That figure drops to £750 for the runner-up and £500 for third. Fourth place earns £350 and fifth gets £280.
The prize money continues to drop down for those lower down the grid, with 10th spot only earning a rider £130.
Have there been any fatalities before?
With riders travelling at up to 200mph, there is no doubting that Superbike racing is not for the fainthearted.
And it can sometimes lead to tragedy.
Back in 2016, the Isle of Man’s Billy Redmayne passed away after an accident in the Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup in Yorkshire.
He passed away surrounded by his friends and family, including girlfriend Hannah Wright, in hospital.
Redmayne’s girlfriend, who is now known as Hannah James and previously worked as a grid girl, went on to start a relationship with Shane Richardson – one of the riders who heartbreakingly died on Monday.
Then, in October 2022, tragedy struck again when World Superbikes ace Victor Steeman died after a multi-rider crash during a championship race in Portugal.
Billy Redmanye (pictured with his girlfriend Hannah Wright), died after a crash in 2016
Dutch rider Victor Steeman (pictured) died after a horror crash in Portugal in 2022
Steeman was only 22 at the time, and his mother, Flora van Limbeek, died just two days after losing her son following a heart attack.
Serious injuries also occur in the daredevil sport. Scotland’s Tarran Mackenzie, the 2021 British Superbike champion, missed the final in 2022 after breaking his leg in a horror crash in the warm-up.
Shane Byrne, the most successful British Superbike rider, also had his career ended prematurely after being involved in a serious crash at a test event in May 2018.
He suffered multiple fractures to his upper body, and it was later revealed that he had required a metal cage attached to his skull to support his head and neck in the immediate aftermath, before this was replaced by a neck-brace collar.
