Michael Rutter hit double top last year at Croft and the leader of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is fully focussed on an action replay as he powers his HM Plant Honda into the sixth round on Sunday 5 June.

He has already tested well at the North Yorkshire circuit and is feeling confident of strong results as he renews rivalries with the defending champion John Reynolds who makes a racing return, having taken a two round break to speed the healing process of his leg injuries.

Rutter missed out on the country's premier crown last year despite taking a winning double in the corresponding round, and this time around he is determined that nothing will stop him gaining the 'number one' plate for the first time.

He has built up a 46 points advantage over Gregorio Lavilla, the 30-year-old Spanish rider who tasted the winner's champagne for the first time in the series in the previous round at Mondello Park.

Riding the Airwaves Ducati, Lavilla has proved to be a strong, highly skilled rider, but while Rutter had a highly successful test at this short, but demanding circuit, he took a tumble which cost him vital learning track time.

He will overcome that, without doubt, in his customary style, to be forcing the pace up front where a challenge can also be expected from his team-mate Leon Haslam who proved the man for all conditions, topping the time-sheets on the weather ravaged test-day.

Adding to the expected duel for supremacy will be the re-emerging force of Ryuichi Kiyonari. The 22-year-old Japanese rider took the opening four race victories aboard his Fireblade, but then was ruled out of the next four races through injury. He is back on the pace, and playing catch-up fast!

Reynolds is also keen to do just that. The Rizla Suzuki rider bravely raced just 38 days on from shattering his right leg in five places, but after battling it out for three rounds, opted to take a rest. Now, he is back, and intent on showing what might have been.

"I am fully confident and comfortable with the bike," he said after testing. "It is back to business as normal - I am totally positive and it is great to get stuck back into racing again.

"I got a good feel for the bike and have asked my crew for a few minor changes to test when we return here for the races - I am back and ready to race," smiled Reynolds who will be lining up with team-mate Scott Smart as they aim to put Suzuki back on the top step of the podium.

Among the riders they will have to beat is "super-sub" James Haydon, who after deputising for Reynolds now finds himself standing in for Sean Emmett aboard the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha. Emmett is to undergo further treatment on the elbow he injured in a crash at Brands Hatch earlier in the season.

Jonathan Rea, riding the Red Bull Honda, is keen to underline the speed that took him to pole start for the previous round with another strong show, while the Stobart Honda riders Jeremy McWilliams, Gary Mason and Michael Laverty will be looking to build on their recently improving form.

However it could well be the pair of Hawk Kawasakis in the hands of Glen Richards and Dean Thomas who take the glory - they are a gathering force, with Richards in particular long overdue victory, and these could be his races with the circuit suiting his nimble machine.

In the British Superbike Cup, Yorkshireman Chris Martin will be looking for home advantage as he continues his scrap for supremacy with James Buckingham, Steve Brogan, Marty Nutt and Danny Beaumont.

Around the two Bennetts British Superbike action, in which the riders will be looking to rack up points in the quest for the £30,000 high powered sportscar on offer to the best all-rounder in the Audi quattro Performance Award, there are races counting to the Metabo British Supersport Championship, the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship and Cup, the British 125 Championship and the Virgin Mobile Cup.