Alstare Suzuki's Max Neukirchner is a man on a mission this weekend at Brands Hatch. His sole intention is to put pressure on series leader Troy Bayliss and claw back some points in the World Superbike Championship.

The German, who has been this year's revelation, is currently ??? behind the Xerox Ducati man but thinks that after his two tenth places here last year, his knowledge and bike package could see him troubling the front runners for a podium spot.

"Brands Hatch is a special track and it’s great to see and hear the fans because that doesn’t happen very often," said Neukirchner.

"It is in a great setting and it is a track that often favours the home riders, though I would like to change that this weekend! I want to put pressure on Bayliss and see if I can close the gap on him this weekend. He has a big points advantage but anything can happen in racing, so I will be doing my best to score as many points as possible and hopefully leave with a couple of podiums for sure."