John Reynolds is powering towards a milestone half century of victories in domestic competition as he heads the entry for the Holiday Monday (3 May) double race fourth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.

The former twice champion, with his third triumph so far this season, and number 49 in a long, illustrious career, coming at Snetterton, enabled him to open up a ten points advantage over Michael Rutter in the early season chase for the crown,.

However Reynolds is not talking about his title chances, instead concentrating on racking up more points and victories: "there is a long way to go, a lot of points at stake, and for me the job is win as many races as possible and score points consistently - there are half a dozen riders out there capable of winning, it is tight and hard, probable the toughest ever year."

The Rizla Suzuki rider is comfortable with his bike, having worked with the team to make it a winner, and this gives him the confidence that he will be regaining the 'number one' plates, though not without overcoming a fierce challenge, or two, along the way.

Rutter, riding the HM Plant Honda Fireblade, is looking good for maiden title glory, and, given his now characteristic sluggish starts away from the line, has provided the thrills as he carves through the pack. "I must sort out the starts," he reflected after taking third and second places last time out to stay right in contention.

The Leicestershire based rider has tasted the winner's champagne only once, but knows it should have been more - he is out to set the record straight at the Cheshire circuit to close in on Reynolds.

And, if winning is all important to him, then it is even more so to Sean Emmett and Yukio Kagayama who are level pegging in this place. They have each taken a victory so far, with the Japanese rider taking a memorable, and emotional win at Snetterton some eight months on from the horror crash that almost him his life.

Kagayama reckons: "I am back now." That could spell problems for everyone, given his exciting, fast riding style. He will be on the pace, and Emmett, again a single race winner, has to be, if he is to maintain his hopes of becoming the third rider in as many years to win the title with the MonsterMob Ducati team.

Joining this frantic scrap for supremacy will be the two Renegade Ducati riders Noriyuki Haga and Leon Haslam - they are regulars in this year's World series, with Haga tasting a win already, but are under no illusions about the task ahead of them.

Their team is based close to Oulton Park, and while keen for success, they will also be happy to get more testing miles under their belts, trying out new parts and doing further work with their tyres.

They know there will be no easy rides especially as the Hawk Kawasakis in the hands of Scott Smart and Glen Richards are right up to speed and looking good for podium finishes, as are the trio of Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamahas in the hands of Steve Plater, Gary Mason and Tommy Hill.

In the British Superbike Cup Jon Kirkham, after crashing out at Snetterton, is hot on the charge to make up lost ground, and regain his lead in the series, currently held by James Ellison, by a single point, from Dennis Hobbs.

Qualifying is on Sunday 2 May, with the two THINK! British Superbike races at 13.15 and 15.45 on Monday 3 May.

ends