Title fight at Cadwell

John Reynolds could virtually seal the British Superbike championship title if everything goes his way at Cadwell Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Rizla Suzuki rider currently leads the title chase by 50 points, with 150 points left to fight for. If he bags both races and closest rival Michael Rutter fails to score, Reynolds would need to pick up just one point from the next two rounds to clinch the 2004 title.

But it’s far from cut and dried. If Reynolds has a dismal weekend, Honda’s Rutter could close the gap significantly and take the title race to the wire. The final two rounds are at Oulton Park and Donington.

Rutter and the HM Plant team topped the timesheets from a test at Cadwell last week – which the Rizla Suzuki team did not participate in.

“I know Rutter is up for it, he has to win races,” said Reynolds. “I need to get more wins under my belt and Cadwell is the place to do that. My GSX-R1000 is the best bike, we have excellent telemetry, and I am in no mood to be beaten.”

Reynolds and Rutter will also face a challenge from the Rizla Suzuki of Yukio Kagayama, who almost ended his career with an accident at the Lincolnshire circuit last year.

“Last year I have nearly fatal accident and I am happy just to be able to race now,” said Kagayama. “Cadwell Park is making changes to help safety and this is good for my confidence. I have unfinished business at this track.”

And in the British Supersport championship, the Triumph ValMoto team and rider Craig Jones hope round 11 will be the turning point in their season.

“There are still three races left, and I am not ready to give up,” said Jones. “My season finishes when I pass the chequered flag at the final round and not before.”

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