Same Ryder and bike, different number and class


Not that it bothers the 35-year-old newly minted West Coaster, who is fronting up in the new SportBike class, at the Iconic Motorbikes Superbike Grand Prix, Round 1 of the Star Insure NZSBK Championsip this weekend at Euromarque Motorsport Park, Ruapuna.

The class is an evolution from SuperTwins, where machine eligibility has been broadened to include more models readily available on the showroom floor

The TR20 Aprilia RS660 rider's aim is to claim the honour of being the last SuperTwins champion and first SportBike title winner.

But this new class means he won't be running the #1 plate as SuperTwins champion, nor the #80 he carried to the 2025 title.

"That number was just borrowed, now I've given it back!" Ryder says.

"I asked Zak Fuller if I could use his number last year on the basis that it was his as soon as he returned to racing.

"Well he's back – as a rival – and I'm a man of my word."

Instead, Ryder will line up with #81.

He has come a long way since his race debut in 2017.

"I still remember sleeping in my ute trackside at Paeroa run in 2018 with little knowledge about the sport but knowing that I enjoyed the thrill," Ryder says.

He debuted the Aprilia in 2024, finishing second in the SuperTwins Championship, before going one better in 2025.

But he knows this year will not be an easy run. Some fast young riders have been drawn into the class.

"I'm looking forward to racing the new SportBike class against some exciting new entries – such as Zac, Nixon Frost and Tyler King – and other brands," Ryder says.

Fuller is racing a Honda CBR650R, Frost a Suzuki GSR8R and King an Aprilia RS660.

"The team and I definitely aiming to be in the fight, with winning being everyone's goal." 

A drainlayer by trade, he has quickly adapted to the move south from the North Island with wife Sophie and family.

"Life on the Coast has been a relaxing change for the whole family and luckily plenty of friendly faces manage to come by," Ryder says.

"I've had a good year racing the Southern Race Series and MCI King Of Canterbury for the first time, winning F3 in both and recently a NZGP title.

"Deegan and I race still as much as we can and the girls come to support.

"Sophie was pregnant with Emilia during the 2024 season where we had her gender reveal after Hampton Downs round, was barely crawling 2025 year and is now in full stride and obsessed with bikes.

"We hope she follows the path of other amazing woman in our sport and already has Mum's approval." 

Ryder acknowledges "some great people keeping it going" – TR20, Dentures +, Birch Ave Radiators, The Blackwood Project, The Dentists, as well as SC-Project, Race Supplies, Xpress Racewear, Redline Oil, EBC and RST.