Ryuichi Kiyonari and Leon Haslam will renew their rivalry when the new Bennetts British Superbike season begins, where last year's championship was decided, at
Brands Hatch on Easter Monday.
Last year's season finale saw Kiyonari sealed his first British title, and Honda’s first in two decades, by winning the first of the two Brands Hatch races, and then taking second place to Haslam in the final showdown.
Riding the Airwaves Ducati, Haslam had to settle for the runners-up spot, but this time around he is determined to take the crown. "I intend to start where I left off, and this is by winning. Throughout testing I have run fast, have a good team around me and enjoy riding this circuit, which is one of my favourites."
Kiyonari, riding in HM Plant Honda colours for a fourth year, is equally determined: "I ride very hard and fast, and want to win to keep the title."
It promises to be a real power struggle, but there is much more than a straightforward duel for supremacy to look forward to. Jonathan Rea, who has moved into the factory Honda team, has taken everyone by surprise by his pace in testing, and the 20 year old Ulsterman has set himself the task of an opening round double en route to the crown.
He is a man in a hurry, seeing the country’s premier crown as the gateway to a ride in world championship action next season, and, like Haslam’s 2005 title winning team-mate Gregorio Lavilla, will be going all out for success - with no team orders at this stage.
Adding to this, the introduction of three 'young-guns', all graduating from the British Supersport series should bring lively racing. Cal Crutchlow, the reigning champion, rides for Rizla Suzuki, paired with the returning force of Chris Walker who, having been title runner-up four times in the past, is keen to go one better on his BSB comeback.
Tom Sykes lines up in Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport colours partnering former
MotoGP rider Shane Byrne, who has returned to ride for Paul Bird’s Honda team with whom he won the title three years ago, while Leon Camier rides for the Bike Animal Honda team.
Tommy Hill, the local favourite at the circuit, is joined in the Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha team by veteran James Haydon, and they should be a real force to be reckoned with, while Karl Harris, three times a winner of the Supersport title, switches from the HM Plant Honda team to ride in Hydrex Honda colours.
Steve Plater has looked strong in testing aboard the AIM Yamaha, while former race winner Scott Smart has penned a late deal to ride for Hawk Kawasaki. Former factory Honda rider Michael Rutter will take on a new challenge, developing the factory backed Isilon MSS Discovery Kawasaki.
Dean Thomas will be pushing hard on the Samsung Suzuki; Sean Emmett is back in the top flight with PR Branson Honda and last year’s Superbike Cup winner Chris Martin rides a Red Viper Honda.
Supporting the two BSB races are the opening rounds of the British Supersport Championship; British 125GP Championship; Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship and Cup and the Virgin Media Cup.
Official practice and qualifying is through Saturday and Sunday 7-8 April, with races set for Monday 9 April.
