Tommy Hill takes a slender four points advantage into the second round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Thruxton but is confident he can extend his advantage despite the challenges from a host of top riders led by James Ellison.

Hill took the opening race victory of the season at Brands Hatch for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team and then finished a close second to Swan Honda’s Ellison in the second race in the Easter Monday thriller.

Now both Hill and Ellison are confident to maintain their momentum, but it won’t be easy as they go head-to-head with top British and International riders.

“I am feeling confident after such a good start to my season, but there is a long way to go,” said Hill. “The last time I raced at Thruxton I had pole position and hopefully will repeat that to be in the best possible place for the start of the first race.

“The team was worked hard since Brands Hatch, making a few improvements to suit the track, but I know that I will have the pace. I will go out and give it my all and hopefully collect more silverware,” added 25 year old Hill who spearheads the challenge of the Suzuki team based at nearby Verwood.

Ellison, last year’s runner-up, echoes the sentiments of Hill. “Last season when I raced there I was second twice and there is no reason why I cannot go better than that. The bike was mega in the first round, and now we are going to a circuit that I love – it is wicked to ride, ‘balls-out’ fast.”

The two races on the high-speed Hampshire circuit will be far more that a private duel for supremacy between Hill and Ellison. Joining the action at the sharp end, among others will be their team-mates. Hill has popular Japanese rider Yukio Kagayama pressing him all of the way while Ellison has the Flying Scot Stuart Easton to contend with.

Easton, despite carrying a leg injury in the opening round, racked up solid points, and returning to fitness he reckons that Thruxton will favour him, as he explained: “I’ve had some good results there as it is a circuit that is fast and flowing, awesome to ride.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari, the former two times winner of the British title with the HM Plant Honda team, is aiming to open his winning account for this season. He had mixed fortunes in the opening round; he started the season with a second place but was then sidelined by an electrical problem in race two and is now hoping for an upturn in fortune at the fast Hampshire circuit.

That is also the case for his team-mate, Aussie Josh Brookes, who is based nearby at Wimborne. He is aiming to bounce back from a first round crash to match his first BSB podium finish of last season at Thruxton and put his title challenge back on track.

Carrickfergus rider Alastair Seeley, the reigning National Superstock Champion, gave the Relentless Suzuki by TAS their first BSB podium at Brands Hatch, and he is sure to be in contention. His team-mate Michael Laverty is also looking to put a challenging opening round behind him as he takes on older brother John who rides for the Buildbase Kawasaki team. Gary Mason is eager for a strong weekend in the MSS Colchester Kawasaki colours, while team-mate Simon Andrews is sidelined following his crash in the World Superbike round last weekend.

Dan Linfoot is riding strongly for the Motorpoint Yamaha team who hope to have their former champion Neil Hodgson back in action, while the challenge of the experienced Michael Rutter aboard the Riders Motorcycles.com Ducati can never be ruled out.

Steve Brogan is aiming to extend his unbeaten run in the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO class aboard the Jentin BMW but can expect tough challenges from former South African champion Hudson Kennaugh on the MAR Kawasaki and Chris Burns riding the Splitlath Aprilia.

For the record

Superbike lap record
Gregorio Lavilla, Ducati, 1m 14.890secs, 113.25mph (2006)

Superbikes on track
Friday 16 April
10.10-10.50 and 14.30-15.10 Free practice
Saturday 17 April
10.15-11.05 Free practice
15.30-16.30 Swan Combi Roll for Pole
Sunday 18 April
10.50-11.05 Warm-up practice
13.30 Race One 20 laps
16.35 Race Two 20 laps

Superbikes on television
Sunday 18 April
British Eurosport 2
12.30-18.00 Live raceday coverage
20.30-22.00 Highlights
(full listings www.britishsuperbike.com)

Flashback – Sunday 31 May – Round 4
Race one
1 L Camier, Airwaves Yamaha
2 J Ellison, Airwaves Yamaha
3 S Easton, Hydrex Honda
Race two
1 L Camier, Airwaves Yamaha
2 J Ellison, Airwaves Yamaha
3 J Brookes, HM Plant Honda