While Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla and Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari are fighting it out for Championship glory, both Rizla Suzuki racers are resurgent and hungrier than ever to compete for podium finishes on their GSX-R1000s.

This weekend will mark JR’s final race as the reigning Champion. “I am looking forward and dreading Sunday in equal measure,” explained the Nottingham-based racer. “Brands Hatch GP is the best circuit in the world and I am busting to see what results I can get with my Rizla Suzuki that is now stronger than ever before. But I am not looking forward to handing across the number one plate.

“I’ve won a World Superbike and numerous BSB races at Brands Hatch and will be using all of my experience to get the best results I can. I want to finish the season strongly and use that as the basis for building a title challenge in 2006.”

James is delighted with the handling and performance of his Rizla Suzuki and is starting to realize his potential. The Andorran resident said: “I want to mix it with the front-runners this weekend and get the results that my bike, my team and I am capable of.

“I haven’t been on the podium this year and I want to put that right at Brands Hatch. With just a little bit of luck and a decent starting position, I know that I can get amongst the leaders and race with them.”

Superbike racing starts at 1315 on Sunday, October 9th, at the 2.6-mile long Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and then on Channel 4 one week later as a highlights package.