Michael Rutter saved the best for last as he powered to the top of the free practice leaderboard in the final seconds of a hectic session prior to the double race ninth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at the short, but demanding Mallory Park circuit.

The HM Plant Honda rider who lives within a stone's throw of the Leicestershire goes into the races knowing that nothing short of victories will suffice if he is deny twice former champion John Reynolds the crown. Rutter laid down the challenge with an inch-perfect lap of the 1.39 mile circuit, with its contrasts of a super-fast sweeping corner and the slowest hairpin anywhere in the country, charging around in 52.286secs, an average speed of 95.70mph. "It is important for me to at least finish on the podium in both races, and win them if I am going to catch John Reynolds before the end of the season," admitted Rutter, adding "I still feel confident about my chances of winning the title." Reynolds is the man to beat in the title stakes.

The Rizla Suzuki rider has a comfortable 38 points advantage, and is seventh fastest on the leaderboard, but only a third of a second adrift. "I have a hunger to win these races, which is unmatched," smiled Reynolds.

The action however will not simply centre on the title protagonists. Sean Emmett, riding the MonsterMob Ducati was fastest for much of the session, until Rutter's late heroics, and he will pose a real threat, as will John McGuinness, the six times Isle of Man TT winner, who is riding Hawk Kawasaki, and with a lap of 52.411s, third fastest. Tommy Hill and Gary Mason, riding Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamahas, are next up, with Dean Thomas sixth after a session that saw the top nine riders separated by just 0.43 seconds.

ends