Round 3 - THINK! British Superbike Championship, Snetterton - Sunday 25 April

John Reynolds has the advantage, just, over Michael Rutter in the early season scrap for the 2004 THINK! British Superbike Championship crown, but as they power into the third round at Snetterton on Sunday 25 April they are all too well aware that the rest are playing catch-up, and fast.

Sean Emmett is hot on the charge - the 34-year-old Londoner is hungry for more success following his remarkable victory last time out at Brands Hatch when somehow he powered through the pain barrier to taste the winner's champagne for the first time this season.

He is aiming to become the third rider in as many years to win the title with Paul Bird's highly professional MonsterMob Ducati team, and after disappointing results in the opener and a tumble in the first of the two races in the last round is hoping that his misfortune for the season is now behind him.

Emmett's determination and drive is eloquently illustrated by his performance to hit back from adversity and beat off Rutter and Reynolds to take that all important victory: "Michael was catching me fast, but I held on - after my desperate disappointment of the first race, it was great to bounce back and get this result."

It was the confidence booster he needed, and with this super-quick circuit being one of his favourites, Emmett is in the mood to make life difficult for his rivals for the crown: "There is a long way to go in the championship, I know that I have points to pull back, but I will be digging deep, and going for it. Hopefully, I've had my misfortunes and can now really get going, starting with these two races."

Reynolds, who leads the title chase by a single point, is equally determined and reckons his Rizla Suzuki is at its best and should power him to a third crown: "The bike has gone from strength to strength." That is underlined by its back to back victories in races two and three of the new season, together with two third placings, in the hands of one of the most determined and polished riders in the series.

Keep a close watch also on his team-mate Yukio Kagayama, recovering still from the injuries he sustained in a horror crash last August but still packing the points and not far off the winning pace, something that is also true of his Japanese compatriot, Ryuichi Kiyonari who rides alongside Rutter in the HM Plant Honda Fireblade team.

He is well placed in the standings, having taken a brace of seconds in the opener to be just adrift of Rutter, who gave Honda the dream start to their current campaign with a victory first time out on the all-new Fireblade, and has backed that up with a third and a pair of seconds.

The Leicestershire based rider might have had an even better record if he could perfect the art of the fast get-a-way. Particularly noticeable in the last round were his sluggish starts from the grid, and then characteristic charge through the pack. "I've got to sort it out," he admits. That apart, he is a model of consistency and looking good for maiden title success.

Hammering on the door are the Kawasakis, with Glen Richards and Scott Smart who has been in the points in all four races so far - apart from racing, he is also working on the development of the bikes, trying to get more power out of them, and that showed last time out as he deservedly took a pair of fourth places.

The trio of Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha riders, Steve Plater, Gary Mason and Tommy Hill will be looking for improved form at a circuit where power and top speed is all important while ETI Racing expect to be back in action, with a replacement rider, following the injury sustained to Stuart Easton at Brands Hatch.

ends