<I>Crash </I>preview - Phillip Island.

After the first two races were won in convincing fashion by Australian Ducati rider, Troy Bayliss, we now head to his home races at Phillip Island in Australia.

Last year Phillip Island provided but one race to the World Superbike season. And that one race should not even have run. Torrential downpours were the problem, and were such that the second race was cancelled.

The race, as it was run, was won in convincing style by Honda rider, Colin Edwards. Bayliss, through virtue of his third place in that race, put himself in the championship lead.

After his dominant performance at Valencia this year, Bayliss already leads the championship with his two wins from Superbike returnee Noriyuki Haga's two second places on the powerful Aprilia.

The track they visit is a favourite for many of the riders. Not just the coastal setting but the track's challenging bends and undulating nature mean it is a track that really has to be attacked.

And local man, Troy Bayliss has to be the favourite. Not only does he have local knowledge, but his dominant performance in round 1, where in the first race he disappeared into the distance, and in the second, after a bike change, he bided his time before comfortably placing himself at the head of the field, show that he is at the top of his game right now.

Noriyuki Haga was another who showed himself to be on form. After a disillusioning season in the Moto GP 500s, Haga was quickly back to where he wants to be. In both races at Valencia Haga led. In the first it was only for a brief time. In the second however, Haga was able to make good his lead until Bayliss decided that it was about time he won the race.

Charismatic American Ben Bostrom should also be one to watch. In both races at Valencia the L&M Ducati rider was trying all the moves at the front of the field.

And, if the changeable Phillip Island weather throws up rain, all eyes will be on last year's winner Colin Edwards. His performance in the appalling conditions last year were nothing short of sensational. Expect more of the same if it's wet from the man from America, where they don't run races if it rains.

Elsewhere, Brit Chris Walker has been receiving acupuncture in his latest attempt to hasten his recovering from the Bells Palsy that's been blighting him of late. The Kawasaki rider notched up tenth and seventh places in Spain and will be looking to better that in Australia. His team-mate Hitoyasu Izutsu is also one that could surprise.

Leading Brit on the Ducati Neil Hodgson will also be looking to improve on the fifth and sixth places he gained in Valencia.

And if there are wet races anyone could be in with a chance. One team hat won't be competing however, is Benelli, who managed to blow all their engines and all their cash in Spain and left before the first race had even begun.

Ironically the Italian manufacturer has finally revealed the production spec of the Tornado, a production bike being a requirement for Superbike entry.

Phillip Island is sure to throw up some excitement. Lets hope it's for two races this year, not just one.