Ryuichi Kiyonari heads for Thruxton and the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this Sunday, 10 April, intent on continuing his high speed early season dominance in the chase for the country's premier crown.

The exciting young Japanese rider is the hot favourite for more success at the high-speed Hampshire circuit, expecting to use the awesome power of his HM Plant Honda Fireblade to the full, but the pursuing pack, including his team-mate Michael Rutter are in no mood to be beaten again.

"We've got to do something about him," smiled Rutter who took fourth and second placings in the opening action at Brands Hatch where Kiyonari romped clear, starting the season as he ended the previous one, with a winning double.

The team have the bikes superbly prepared and are expecting more of the winner's champagne, but, the series has attracted factory teams from a further four of the world's leading manufacturers, and given the high profile of the action, they are re-doubling their efforts.

The Airwaves Ducati team are feeling good that their bikes will be well suited to the demands of the circuit, with Leon Haslam, the pole starter on his debut with them intent on securing better than a fourth place - he is brimming with confidence, but is still awaiting news of who will be riding alongside him in the team.

James Haydon missed the opening action, having sustained hand injuries during pre-season testing, and he faces a race against time to be fit - he was taking specialist advice, and could be in action, but should he not make the starting grid, expect to see the sport's super-sub Gregorio Lavilla in action. The Spaniard took second and third placings in the opener, and also raced at Thruxton last year when he enjoyed a podium finish.

Sean Emmett is another rider to watch - a pair of fifth placings underlined the potential of the radically developed engine of the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha but the Weybridge rider is expecting more, and could well repeat his victory of last year at the circuit.

And, the defending champion John Reynolds cannot be discounted. The Rizla Suzuki rider made a remarkable comeback, racing just 38 days on from shattering his right leg in five places and taking a brace of ninth placings. He is getting stronger by the minute and is not prepared to be running down the pack. Expect to see him challenging, together with his team-mate Scott Smart.

Jeremy McWilliams, the Ulsterman who is back in domestic action after a dozen years and 186 grand prix races, made a modest debut with the Stobart Honda team, but now he is settling to the challenges, expect to see him forcing the pace and making his presence and vast experience count.

Not to be overlooked are the Hawk Kawasakis in the hands of Aussie duo Glen Richards, who has already this season enjoyed a top three finish, and Dean Thomas, while a strong outside bet for glory is Karl Harris. The three times winner of the British Supersport crown has settled well to graduation into the top flight and could well be the man to head off Kyonari.

Harris, like the rest of the pack, has his eyes on the £30,000 Audi TT Quattro, which is the end of season Audi Performance Award awaiting the best all-rounder.

Around the two Bennetts British Superbike Championship races there is an all action support programme. Andy Tinsley aims to take another step towards regaining the National Superstock crown, but under fire from Howie Mainwaring while in the British Supersport Championship expect another duel between Jay Vincent and Stuart Easton.

Kev Coghlan, the 16-year-old Scot, is aiming for another victory in the British 125GP Championship with the day completed by races counting to both the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup and the National Superstock Cup.