John Reynolds has one hand on the THINK! British Superbike Champion's trophy after taking a winning double in the penultimate round at Oulton Park, with in each race his rival Michael Rutter trailing him home.

The Rizla Suzuki rider was at his most determined, as he battled back from a torrid time in the previous round at Cadwell Park, to shrug aside obvious pressures with a brilliant front-running performance.

“I decided not to do anything different to normal,” smiled Reynolds after winning a first race at the Cheshire circuit decided over two parts, either side of a light rain shower, on the basis of aggregate time.

He had forged clear while Rutter was taking time to shake off the challenges of Gary Mason and Steve Plater before moving into second place. “By the time I had overtaken them, John had cleared off - he had done the hard work by then,” said Rutter

Reynolds was delighted. “There was pressure on me, but I am just hungry to win the championship - that is what it is all about. I want to win races and I want to win the title.”

He underlined that in the second race, moving ahead of his HM Plant Honda rival after four laps, and then powering to his seventh victory of the campaign, and one that puts him 43 points clear of Rutter.

“I am over the moon - that is my first winning double in a long time, and it could not be better. As far as I am concerned, I have the best bike in the world, and the best team,” said Reynolds who needs only an eighth place in Sunday's finale at Donington Park to take the crown for a third time.

Rutter conceded: “To be fair, he rode fantastically around here, and I have just said to him, he will have to make a big mistake to lose the title now, but it can happen.”

James Ellison clinched the Superbike Cup, the series within the main championship for independent teams and riders, in style with a winning double. The Team Jentin Yamaha rider finished ahead of his nearest rival, Jon Kirkham in each race.

Karl Harris, riding HM Plant Honda, clinched the British Supersport crown for the third time in four years as he took his sixth victory of the season. The 24 year old Sheffield rider held off Tom Sykes by a couple of seconds, with Jason Vincent third. Harris, who graduates into Superbikes next year, will enjoy a taste of the team's Fireblade at the Leicestershire circuit on Sunday.

Eugene Laverty grabbed the initiative in the British 125cc Championship, taking second place to Ashley Beech, as Christian Elkin, who had arrived at his local circuit heading the title stakes crashed out of second place at half distance.

Danny Beaumont grabbed the lead in the National Superstock Championship with a winning ride in a two part race, and that despite going down in a tangle with Tristan Palmer. They fell just as the red flags were shown as rain lashed down. Both were allowed to take the re-start, but Palmer was out of luck. A front brake problem left him dashing to the pits, and then opting not to start as his spare bike was fitted with dry tyres.

Richard Wren had his hopes of celebrating his title in the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup ended as he crashed out, with Adam Jenkinson then hitting his machine - both escaped injury and could only watch as Guy Saunders enjoyed his first win on the season.

Saturdays National Superstock Cup race was won by James McBride who held off a race long challenge from Paul Shoesmith and Simon Wright, with the Series leader Peter Hickman finishing fourth.

Leading positions: THINK! British Superbike Championship after round 12:

1 John Reynolds 420

2 Michael Rutter 377

3 Yukio Kagayama 322

4 Scott Smart 304

5 Sean Emmett 288

6 Ryuichi Kiyonari 184

7 Dean Thomas 175

8 James Haydon 165

9 Tommy Hill 129

10 Glen Richards 115

ends