Gregorio Lavilla promised that he would be ready for every challenge that comes his way in 2006 as he prepares to defend his Bennetts British Superbike Championship title - the Airwaves Ducati rider had received a hero's welcome from thousands of race-fans as he collected his trophy on the central stage at the Motorcycle Show in the NEC.

“It has been an unbelievable year - I thank everyone who has been involved,” smiled the 30 year old Spaniard who had started the campaign without a contract, but made the Airwaves ride his own. Along the way, he won seven times, all but one of those successes coming in a strong second half that finally saw off the threat of the HM Plant Honda.

“I always tried to make exciting, good races and I think that everyone has enjoyed the season - always I tried to be competitive, but learning the tracks was difficult, though I knew the tracks at the end of the season and that made it easier for me.

“I am going to be back and really already thinking that we will have an exciting season because everyone will be trying to beat me. It will be a tough year but I am ready for that.”

Lavilla, named by his peers as the `Rider's Rider of the Year,' while his young team-mate Leon Haslam was voted `Most Improved Rider of the Year,' will be defending the `number one' plates knowing that the two riders who pressed him hard during the 2005 campaign will again be hot on the charge.

Ryuichi Kiyonari, who finished his second season as runner-up, despite winning a dozen races, learned during the awards ceremony that he will be riding for the Camel Honda team on a `one-off' basis in this Sunday's final round of the World MotoGP Championship at Valencia.

“Thank you English fans,” said the 23 year old Japanese rider who continues with HM Plant Honda aboard a factory HRC Fireblade in 2006, while Michael Rutter, who rode through the pain barrier for much of the second half of the season has been released by Honda.

“I'm talking to several top teams at the moment - it's sad not to be staying with Honda but life goes on,” said Rutter, adding, “I had a bit of problem at Snetterton and got knocked around and that left me struggling for results.” In fact he broke one collarbone, dislocated the other shoulder and suffered an ongoing arm injury that dogged his final run-in, leaving him in third place overall.

James Buckingham, who took the British Superbike Cup, aboard the Quay Garage Suzuki is still hoping for a call-up to one of the factory teams. “There've been no offers so far, but if nothing comes we will be trying to sort out our own team again.” The bonus for the young Devonian came as he was presented with Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy as the `Young Rider of the Year.'

Leon Camier collected his Metabo British Supersport crown and Gary Johnson picked up the British Supersport Cup while Marco Melandri (pictured), fresh from his success in the Turkish round of the MotoGP Championship was on hand to present the awards to the ACU Academy Cup and British 125cc Championship winners.

James Westmoreland took the Academy Cup, ahead of Dan Linfoot, with both riders also receiving a Dorna backed award to ride in the final two rounds of the Spanish 125cc Championship later in the month, alongside Kev Coghlan, who was named as the rider with the most potential in the series and the recipient of the Dorna scholarship ride. Christian Elkin received the British 125cc crown for a second year.

Lee Jackson received the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock champion's trophy while Peter Ward was the winner of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Cup.