Welcome to my new column here on www.bikesportnews.com. It is an honour and a pleasure to share my thoughts on all things British Superbike with you all.

The first round of the Bennetts British Superbikes at Brands Hatch turned into a bit of an epic. I can’t believe we got snowed off again especially after Snetterton. I think our new Rizla Suzuki rider Atsushi Watanabe is wondering what is going on. He said he has never seen snow before and never had a race cancelled; now he has seen both on his first UK race weekend!

Before the snow took over the weekend I’ll have to say I was very impressed with the boys in blue, both Tom Sykes and Atsu (as he is known to the team) put in a really good qualifying session. Tom had a bit of a problem but he worked quietly through it and got it sorted out so he was happy on Saturday night. He was almost on the front row of the grid but he came in for a change to his settings and got pipped. He did get back out but it started to rain so he had to settle for fifth place.

As for Atsu – he was extremely impressive. He made incredible progress over the weekend learning the track and steadily dropping his lap times. To qualify in ninth place, in cool conditions, at Brands Hatch first time there really is an accolade. There is a lot to come from Atsu, he isn’t two times Japanese Champion for nothing you know.

I must say the weather we have had to endure lately has been incredible. I’ve never seen the like of it. I’m gutted for everyone from the organiser to the teams and the riders. Jonathan Palmer has worked really hard on this event; it is just such a shame for everybody. The fans must be disappointed too. As I was leaving a bloke rode in on his bike all covered in snow. He asked if he had come in through the right gate, I said he had but the racing was cancelled. He couldn’t believe it as he had just ridden up from Somerset.

Rizla Suzuki looks like it has some rivals on track this season; I was impressed with Shane Byrne he was very strong and fast all weekend. Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow were also on good form. It’s great to see Leon Camier back on the pace after the horrific crash he had at Cadwell last year. It’s not easy to recover from a broken femur, dislocated knee and cracked pelvis – he has worked really hard at his fitness and his determination is a credit to him.

MSVR have decided to re-run this abandoned race weekend again on 10th-11th May and the grid will stand from the 5th April. This should work in Atsu’s favour as he can now go away with some experience of Brands Hatch, so when we come back here in May he will be ready to attack the circuit on Saturday which will stand him in good stead for the race.

Thruxton will be interesting providing it doesn’t snow – surely we can’t have that much bad luck? The circuit is very fast and bumpy, which suits some riders better than others. Atsushi is very light in weight so he might find the bumps a bit challenging, I hope he gets a good set-up as it is important for the slip streaming. I’m sure Tom will go great guns there as it is Rizla Suzuki’s home race and he will want to impress.

As some of you may know I’m still flying as much as possible as it is a passion of mine. I’m glad I didn’t fly down to Brands as I’d have been stuck. I’m back down at Brands again this week for a Dealer Day with Suzuki, we get to ride the full Suzuki range of bikes so I’m looking forward to that. Then I’m off to the Goodwood Festival of Speed press launch, it is going to be good as I’ll be reunited with my 2004 Championship winning bike which I get to ride it up the Goodwood hill.

That is it for now, I’ll catch you again after Thruxton.