Final leg of the Bristish Superbike starts this Sunday at Croft

The leading trio are separated by just 14 points

Gregorio Lavilla knows he needs to overcome recent disappointing and unlucky results. © Airwaves Ducati. After a three week break the British Superbike Championship will return to racing this weekend at Croft. The 2.170-mile North Yorkshire circuit is a mixture of fast straights and tight hairpin's which will pose technical challenges for competitors and teams alike. Ryuichi Kiyonari has the edge, just, in the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike crown, but both Leon Haslam and the defending champion Gregorio Lavilla are hot on the charge as they power into the tenth round at Croft. The leading trio are separated by just 14 points as they head for a winner takes all shoot out in the final third of a hectic campaign, with former champion Shane Byrne poised to make a late challenge.

Kiyonari, riding the HM Plant Honda, moved ahead, by five points, in the title stakes with a double victory last time out at Oulton Park where Lavilla's recent run of ill-fortune continued with a machine problem forcing him out of the second race. That enabled his Airwaves Ducati team-mate Haslam, second and third at the Cheshire circuit, to move ahead of him in the title stakes.

The Airwaves Ducati team will be using their prior knowledge of the track, having tested here last month, to achieve as many championship points as possible.

2005 British Superbike Champion Gregorio Lavilla knows he needs to overcome recent disappointing and unlucky results and is looking to Croft to signal a turn in fortune: “I did well at Croft last year and we had a good test here last month in which I lapped faster times than I did in those races, so I am confident for this weekend despite my recent results. I know I have a lot to do and I need to achieve some good points to regain my championship lead but we have had a few weeks break and it will be good to get back on a bike and racing again.” (Airwaves Ducati)

In that test session, Haslam, who has still to win a race this season, shattered some three quarters of a session of the lap record as he dialled his Ducati into the challenges of his circuit with it fast, flowing straight and tight corners – he will need to maintain that if he is to head off the determined Kiyonari.

Leon Haslam: “I was really pleased with how things went when we tested at Croft in July. I was quickest in each session and I feel confident that the Ducati 999F06 can go really quickly on this circuit. I am very confident for a good qualifying session this weekend and I would really like to achieve another pole position start. I am obviously also looking to convert my good qualifying results into more race podiums, championship points and hopefully wins. Being 2nd in the championship is great and I am really happy but I want to get even more points and challenge for the championship lead.” (Airwaves Ducati)

The series leader Ryuichi Kiyonari is bidding to become the first Japanese rider to take the British crown, and in his third season here, is determined not to miss out again, as he did last year – the 23 year old took one of his dozen victories in the corresponding round then, while Lavilla also won at the circuit. Both riders finished the other race in third place then.

All eyes will be focussed on them but there will be more riders adding to the intense competition out front – Jonathan Rea, riding the Red Bull Honda, having taken second place at Knockhill is eager to take the top step of the podium, and that is also the case for the former triple British Supersport Champion Karl Harris who ran his team-mate Kiyonari close at Oulton Park.

Shane “Shakey” Byrne will race for the first time at Croft on a Superbike this weekend. Byrne has plenty of experience at the 2.12-mile flat and twisty circuit though, as it is Rizla Suzuki's nominated test track for 2006 and where much development of the GSX-R1000 has taken place.
“I have never raced a Superbike at Croft before - the circuit was added to the BSB calendar after I left the series for MotoGP,” explained Shakey. “But that doesn't bother me one bit. Rizla Suzuki has tested at Croft throughout the season and I think I could find my way round blindfolded." (Suzuki Racing)

Expect to see Michael Rutter challenging for podium finishes – the Leicestershire based rider as had a tough time so far aboard the Stobart Honda, taking only one third placing, something that he is keen to redress as duels in mid-field with his teamster Michael Laverty.

Tommy Hill, riding the Virgin Mobile Yamaha, is on the pace, while Scott Smart, the winner of the early season round at rain-soaked Donington Park, needs a strong confidence boosting ride aboard the Vivaldi Suzuki, as do both Glen Richards, Hydrex Honda, and Craig Coxhell aboard the Hawk Kawasaki.

Practice is through Friday; qualifying on Saturday, with racing Sunday.
(Nick Harris Media Communications)