'Samurai of slide' Haga does the double.

Team Renegade Ducati Koji star Noriyuki Haga laid down the gauntlet to the rest of the World Superbike field by completing a scintillating double victory in last weekends eighth round of the Championship at Brands Hatch.

Haga's riding left fans open mouthed as he scrapped hard in both races in typical aggressive fashion, completing his first double since 1998.

To cap a magical display, the 'Samurai of Slide' was also able to slash his points deficit in the overall standings by a massive 33 points, and now trails Regis Laconi at the top of the table by a mere six points, with only eight points covering the top four.

Laconi, Vermeulen, Haga and Toseland are now locked in a hot battle for the championship where the slightest mistake could cost them dearly.

It was also a memorable day for new title sponsor Koji.

The company's top executives were at the circuit for their first ever taste of Superbike racing, and got more than they bargained for as Haga scorched round the 4km circuit like a man possessed.

"We are back in business", pronounced the jubilant Japanese star. "England has been very kind to me this year with three out of four wins for my Renegade Koji family. Now I must concentrate and stay focused to take the World Superbike title."

Team principal Mark Griffiths was full of admiration for his triumphant rider, saying "Nitro was in devastating form today. I noticed him mentally preparing himself in private on Sunday morning and knew we were all in for fireworks. He underlined his class and it was an exciting display for the fans."