BMW's Marco Melandri is determined not to get ahead of himself in the race for this year's World Superbike title, saying he will take it race by race and remain focused on the job in hand.

The Italian former MotoGP star was handed the championship lead in Russia after a lacklustre performance by ex-champion Max Biaggi but he says six races is still a long way to go before he lifts the trophy.

"We are now leading the rider’s championship but we take it race by race. We have no time to think about defending our lead, because six races are a lot and anything can still happen. We have to stay focused and work hard and if I have the chance to fight for a win I will try to get it. For me it is important to have fun at every race and I cannot race without trying to do my best. Overall I am so happy. We had some bad luck in the past, but now we are working very well but you never know what will happen in the last races," said Melandri.