Two wins and a third in a fantastic weekend at Donington Park saw him take over top spot ahead of rivals Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin with the final round looming at Brands Hatch on October 11-13.
Ryde’s double dose of victories at Donington enabled him to open a narrow four-point advantage as the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider bids to become champion for the first time with Ryde on 398 points, Bridewell on 394 and Irwin on 352.
Defending champion Bridewell missed out on the final podium of the weekend, but the Honda Racing UK rider is determined to regain the edge as he targets becoming the first rider in the championship’s history to win consecutive titles for two different manufacturers.
Irwin may be 46 points adrift of Ryde at the top of the standings, but with a maximum of 105 points available from the final three races, the Hager PBM Ducati rider could yet snatch a debut title in the crucial last round of the season.
“After winning the first race at Donington I was disappointed with third place in the second race as I came so close and actually led at one point,” smiled Ryde. “It shows how far we've come over the season to be annoyed at a third place.
“But I made amends in the last race. I started sixth, chipped a few people off, and when I got to the front I tried to do a lap time that would break the rest, but Glenn made it hard work.
“I won it by being faster on the chicane and the last two hairpins.
“I was glad to win it and the Championship lead is obviously a big bonus. We know we can now finish at least third and I am feeling confident.”
Ryde was back on pole for the opening race at Donington, holding off Bridewell to win after withstanding race-long pressure from the reigning champion.
Irwin kept his hopes alive by claiming a hard-fought victory in the second race following an intense four-way battle with Bridewell and Ryde as Danny Kent just missed out on the podium. But Ryde claimed victory in the red-flagged final race of the weekend ahead of Kent and Vickers.