Brands Hatch stages a British Superbike triple-header as the race for the championship hots up.

Three riders, including Kent’s Shane Byrne, are battling it out for honours at the top of the rider standings.

Tommy Hill and John Hopkins are both hot on Byrne’s heels and all three will have extra competition to deal with this weekend as World Superbike riders Tom Sykes and Joan Lascorz enter on a wildcard ticket.

Sykes blitzed the competition last time out against the British Superbikers when he secured a double victory.

Just one more round remains before the top six riders in the British championship become title fighters. At present, Byrne holds a 32-point lead over Hopkins but on podium credits, they are neck-and-neck.

The six riders will have their points elevated to 500. Podium credits are then added to this total before they fight it out over the final three rounds.

Byrne (pictured) knows he needs podiums and nothing else to keep the title charge on course.

He said: "Brands Hatch is my home round and I have such good memories from there.

"I desperately want to win and know we have the Kawasaki World Superbike team also racing but that won’t change my goal and the races are going to be ones to watch.

"Brands Hatch will be so important for the championship with three races and we will be pushing hard to make sure we stay ahead by the end."