Shane 'Shakey' Byrne leads the standings for Airwaves Ducati after a consistent season where he is yet to finish outside the top two. He is looking forward to Oulton Park, one of the circuits he favours thanks to its fast and flowing nature.

'Shakey' said: "I am really looking forward to Oulton Park as we have now done the rounds that I thought we might struggle at. Those were Mallory Park because it doesn't suit my style and also Snetterton with the weight rule. I am confident I can continue my run of good form, secure more championship points and hopefully extend my championship lead."

HM Plant Honda's Cal Crutchlow is chasing him down hard though as he aims to close the advantage. Crutchlow will be fighting to make amends for his mistake here earlier in the season when he crashed out whilst leading, dislocating his ankle. He has the form to challenge 'Shakey' and with this circuit renowned for having the closest race finishes of the season it could be a photo finish in just under three weeks time.

Crutchlow said: "It is good to be second in the overall standings. I have been consistent so far this year and the only three times I have not been on the podium it hasn't all been my fault, with the crash at Oulton Park for example. Every other race this season we have been up there. I think it will be hard to close the lead to Shakey but I am going to keep plugging away and if I am not beating him and winning then I need to be right behind him. I want to take it to him in the second half of the season. I am looking forward to Oulton Park as it is a great circuit and I am going for two wins there."

Michael Rutter arrives at Oulton Park fresh from his race win at Mallory Park, his first in three years and he is looking to continue his run of form. Leon Camier on the second of the Airwaves Ducatis also has a race win to his tally and after the disappointment of the last round he will be eager to be back on the podium.

Leon Haslam took a podium here back in May but is yet to take a race victory; as the season reaches the second half can the HM Plant Honda rider finally taste the winners champagne?

Tom Sykes and Karl Harris have had a season of bad luck, with both yet to win a race, and both will be looking to finally break the curse and become the fourth rider to win a race this season.

* Sweden and Poland are through to the World Cup Final after last night's race-off.

And now the two nations will be hoping that their track experience will pay dividends in tomorrow's Final against Denmark and Australia, who took the direct route by winning the opening events of the competition.

The gap between second and third was comfortable by the end of the meeting, but the eventual qualifiers did have to hold off an enthusiastic challenge from a rejuvenated Great Britain side in the first half of the event.