By blue2bikes
March 15 2006

As the first official test weekend approaches - taking place at the Norfolk circuit of Snetterton, on the 18th-19th March 2006 - the full list of riders taking part in the British Superbike Championship has been announced.

Some new faces climbing the ranks in the British series are included, as you can see (follow this link).

Until today it was unconfirmed where Sean Emmett was to be this year. After a disastrous start to his 2005 season, suffering a damaged elbow which he sustained at the opening round last year at Brands Hatch, his season was to finish way before the half-way mark.

Undergoing surgery, his recovery was to be a long affair, and he was never to return to the championships last year. Hopefully he has made a full recovery, and will be fighting at the front. He will certainly be wanting to start the season with a good showing at Brands Hatch, his home circuit, at the opening round - in just under eleven days’ time.

Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Haslam have been testing, and are very upbeat about the progress they have made. As are others, especially Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, making his come-back to the series after his two years in the MotoGP series. Will he be able to return at the top, or will he find it a struggle? I very much doubt that he will be down the order, but in the top four from the off.

Shane left the series, after winning the number 1 plate, to make his way in the MotoGP, and was always a strong competitor - but on machinery unable to compete at the top flight level of MotoGP. He will be making a very welcome come-back into the series. Returning to the series in the Rizla Suzuki squad will ensure he has the best prepared machinery, and a good partner with James Haydon, who came strong during the last two races last season.

What of Michael Rutter? The bridesmaid of the series for to many seasons, all-conquering at the North West 200 and also Macau, he has to be in top form and finish every race this year to be in with a chance of gaining the BSB number 1 plate which he so desperately wants to win. After a strong performance last year in the first half of the season, he was left fighting all the way through the second half through DNFs.

Steve Plater, riding with the Dienza team this year, will want to start where he left off last year at Brands Hatch - with a thrilling third position in the final race - and will be all fired up and ready to go when the flag drops.

Making a new entry into the British Superbike premier race series are Ollie Bridewell, Vivaldi Racing; Craig Sproston, Team CSR Honda; Billy McConnell, Virgin Mobile Yamaha; Zak Barry, Zakspeed Racing; Damien Haywood, DH Racing; Craig Coxhell, Hawk Kawasaki; Kenny Everest, JJ Racing; Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki; and Michael Howarth, MAR - all of whom will be wanting to prove to their relative sponsors that, having risen through the ranks, they are more than capable of holding their own in the top flight series.

Whatever happens, you can be sure that this year’s series will certainly be one to watch, with top contenders fighting for the honour of the best in Britain - especially with ITV showing every round of the series on free network television. It will certainly be an edge of seat affair.