Michael Rutter is hot on the charge for glory in the double race fifth

round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Mondello Park - fresh

from his double success in the NorthWest 200 Superbike races last weekend,

the HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider was again setting a hot-pace at this

tight, demanding circuit near to Dublin.

The Leicestershire based rider, won won the opening race of the new season,

is keen to peg back the 18 points deficit has on series leading John

Reynolds, and in free practice, lapping the 2.18 mile circuit in 1m

41.028s, he eclipsed his Rizla Suzuki rival by almost a second to deliver a

powerful warning that he means business in the races.

"I won't be reaching the speed I did on the road-course, but will be using

the bike's power to the full," reflected Rutter, who last week was clocked

at a little over 201mph. "I like this course, although it is quite bumpy

and relatively short, but, given the right set-up, I am confident of

recording a victory here."

Reynolds is equally determined. The twice former champion is still smarting

from being between twice in the previous round by his team-mate Yukio

Kagayama. "There is nothing like being second to motivate you to win even

more - I've won all of the British Superbike races to be held here, and

plan to keep that record intact."

Glen Richards and his Hawk Kawasaki team-mate Scott Smart were well on the

pace throughout, with the threat of an upset on the cards, while Kagayama,

the Japanese rider who is closing in fast on the leading duo in the title

stakes found himself back in sixth place on the leaderboard.

Sean Emmett, the MonsterMob Ducati rider who can afford nothing less than a

pair of victories here to maintain his already slender hopes of taking the

title ran fifth fastest, while, the sport's super-sub, James Haydon, is

settling well to the Yamaha, as he deputises for the injured Steve Plater,

running consistently in the top ten, with promise of better to come in

Saturday's official qualifying.

ends