Hill watching his back in 2005.

2003 R6 Cup winner Tommy Hill was given a ride in 2004 with the Virgin Yamaha British Superbike team as part of the prize for winning the one make championship.

With some good results in the races and qualifying in his first season, Tommy was joined by 2004 R6 Cup winner Richard Wren this year. With another R6 Cup winner coming to the team in 2006 Crash.net caught up with Tommy at the official British Superbike launch to see what he thought of the teams arrangement.

"I'll be watching my back no doubt about it," admitted Hill. "You can't underestimate any rider on the track, you are all there to do the same job and that is to win races.

"He is going to find it hard, as I did in my first year. He is going to find it a big jump from a 100hp R6 machine to a 200hp Superbike machine, he's just got to keep his head down and learn as much as he can from Sean (Emmett) and myself. I wish him all the best and I hope we can be team-mates next year, but the truth is there wil be another R6 Cup winner coming through."

So there could be another three man team with Emmett getting the boot?

"Yeah forget about the R6 Cup, we've got the R1 Cup!" quipped Tommy. "I'm looking forward to this year and I'm hoping to give Sean a good run for his money."

Tommy Hill and the British Superbike field will next be in action at Brands Hatch this weekend with the first races of the season taking place on Monday 28th March.