Edwards ­ 58 points behind leader Troy Bayliss at one stage ­ is now one point ahead in the points standings with just two races remaining, at the famous 3.04-mile circuit on Sunday.

"The way in which we've worked to get to this position has left me so determined to clinch the title," says SP-2 rider Edwards. "Troy has made life hard this year and it's taken a lot of hard work and a lot of record-breaking to get where we are.

"There's no way I'm going to throw it all away now, in the final round. I know what's needed and I intend to go out there and do it."

Edwards will be supported by masses of family and friends who are flying in from his home town of Conroe for the event.

"The last time they came in force like this was for Brands Hatch in 2000 when I won the title. It doesn't put any extra pressure on me and neither does all the talk about what I might or might not be doing next year.

"Right now I've got a job to do and there isn't one person connected to the Castrol Honda team who doubts my ambition and desire to win both races on Sunday."

Edwards has won the last seven races and arrives at Imola after a successful test at the circuit last week.

He concludes: "We're in good shape and since the Sunday night of the last round in Holland I've been desperate to get the Imola weekend under way."

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