The 2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship was launched in the prestigious Audi Forum with a fast moving presentation of the major players in the world's toughest domestic series and then a special eye-catching London lap. Gregorio Lavilla detailed his plans to retain the crown for a second year, though he admits his young Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam will be a force to be reckoned with amid the toughest ever entry for the series.
Five of the world's leading manufacturers have factory backed teams in action with 36 riders packing the starting grid, among them Ryuichi Kiyonari, the exciting young Japanese rider who finished last season as the runner up. Now the HM Plant Honda rider is planning to go one better!
Shane Byrne returns from two years in World MotoGP, riding for the Rizla Suzuki team as he bids to regain his crown, while Michael Rutter admits to being keen 'to put one over his former team-mates' after switching to ride for Stobart Honda.
Tommy Hill fresh from maiden success at Cadwell Park intends more glory with Virgin Mobile Yamaha and Dean Thomas reckons he is long overdue a victory with Hawk Kawasaki.
They are all chasing the crown, and also the added bonus of the Audi Performance Award which rewards speed in qualifying over the whole season with a superb limitied edition £50,000 A4 S-line Cabriolet.
All of the action, which starts on Sunday at Brands Hatch will be beamed into millions of households with the championship confirming in excess of 20 hours of coverage of the action 'live' on the ITV 1 terrestrial channel and some 40 hours of same day coverage by Sky Sports.
Londoners were given a taste of the action as eight of the top Superbike riders, joined by Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman rode through Piccadilly, Haymarket and Pall Mall on a special London lap.
'Riding alongside the top riders in the country makes you realise what skill and control these people have. It really brings home the fact that you're not as good as you thought you were and that some extra training would really be very useful. I am pleased that THINK! is once again involved with the British Superbike Championship for what promises to be yet another exciting season," said the Minister after his ride around Piccadilly.
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