Preview to the 2004 British Superbike championship

MonsterMob Ducati
By Dan Moakes
May 27 2004

The 2004 British Superbike championship looks likely to come down to another battle between Ducati and Suzuki, but with a host of others not far away, and perhaps breaking through from time to time.

The last two titles have gone to MonsterMob Ducati riders, and their 2004 999 machine should still be setting the pace. New rider Sean Emmett has a wealth of experience, knows how to win races, and should be a strong threat. The other big favourite has to be John Reynolds on the Rizla Suzuki. The GSX-R1000 has had two years of development work, and was the best bike in the latter part of 2003. Continuity could be key in JR’s quest for a third title, and he should be ably helped by Yukio Kagayama as he gets back up to speed after injury.

The Virgin Yamaha team has a strong line-up, with their 2002 race winner Steve Plater rejoining alongside promising youngsters Gary Mason, who must be due a podium, and new boy Tommy Hill. Multiple race winner Michael Rutter has signed to lead the way with Honda’s 1000cc FireBlade, which replaces the SP-2 of last season. A second Japanese rider joins the series in the shape of Rutter’s team-mate, MotoGP refugee Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Another newcomer is the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, which takes over from the long serving 750cc version. The Hawk team retains Glen Richards and Scott Smart, and Richards, in particular, has the talent to win races now the capacity deficit is in the past. The remainder of the field has a mix of very useful riders, on a variety of further Ducati, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda mounts. Expect Dean Thomas, Stuart Easton, Paul Brown, John McGuinness, Kieran Clarke and Craig Coxhell to have their good days, with one or two of them being quite capable of consistent speed all season long.

The British Superbikes often provide some of the best racing you can see, and it could easily be wide open at some tracks. It will be interesting to see who does what, and it all starts this weekend.