Michael Rutter underlined his determination to head off the challenge of

THINK! British Superbike Championship leader John Reynolds by setting the

pace in free practice for the double race sixth round at Thruxton.

The HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider goes into the races 33 points adrift of

Reynolds, but is brimming with confidence both by topping the leaderboard

at the Hampshire circuit and also after his victory last time out at

Mondello Park.

"That victory in particular has given me the self-belief and confidence to

maintain a winning run through to the end of the season - my immediate aim

to secure a double win here, the bike is going really well and I am

focussed on reducing Reynolds' advantage and hopefully taking charge of the

championship," smiled Rutter after setting the pace with a best lap of 1m

17.387s.

Reynolds meanwhile found himself fifth fastest, half a second down on his

title rival, as he prepares for the races in which he intends to end a run

of four consecutive second places. "I've got to do something about being

second best - racing is about winning, and this is what I am here for,"

said the Rizla Suzuki rider, whose best lap came in time of 1m 17.895s.

Between him and Rutter are Aussie Dean Thomas, riding the Dienza Ducati,

Glen Richards on the Hawk Kawasaki and MonsterMob Ducati rider Sean Emmett.

Scott Smart, who enjoyed his maiden success in the championship in the

Irish round, was seventh fastest, his Hawk Kawasaki running marginally

slower than the leader of the Superbike Cup James Ellison.

And Gregorio Lavilla, who will be riding in next week's Spanish Grand Prix

for Suzuki, was ninth fastest aboard the Rizla Suzuki on which he is

deputising for the team's injured Japanese start Yukio Kagayama.

ends