Bayliss beats Toseland to Brands Hatch race one.

Troy Bayliss in his "Superman Returns" livery took a tough race win at the challenging Brands Hatch circuit in Kent for round eight of the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship.

The Xerox Ducati rider had to fight off a determined Noriyuki Haga on the Yamaha in the early stages of the race but once clear of him he made a break for the lead and pulled away. "It was a good race and battle with Haga," said Bayliss resplendent in his Superman cape, "I was on the limit staying with him, but then Haga slowed down and I knew James was coming so I got three to four good laps in and I was gone. I knew that James had Haga to get past!"

Haga was struggling with a bike problem as he explained, "I was fighting with James and I have disappointing last four laps. The bike had a throttle problem so last laps I do boring riding."

James Toseland reeled in the front runners and did a superb job of getting past Haga and fending him of for the remainder of the race. "When Troy Corser and I were battling we were slowing each other down, so when I got past I put in about four good laps to try and bridge the gap to Troy Bayliss," said Toseland, "I'm just happy to be on the podium here at Brands Hatch for a change!" His Winston Ten Kate team-mate, Karl Muggeridge crashed out of sixth place on lap four.

Troy Corser on the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki looked like he was on for a podium finish early in the race but he faded back to finish sixth. He suffered quite a big off during morning warm up and either his chain or rear sprocket cut into his boot. Corser is also riding with a damaged knee sustained during the bicycle race at the Brands Hatch media day ahead of the race weekend.

Wild card rider Tommy Hill on the Virgin Mobile Yamaha came home just outside the top ten in eleventh place just behind Rubens Xaus.

Klaffi Honda's Alex Barros battled from eighteenth on the grid to eighth place. He has been finding Brands a tough circuit to set his bike up for and has been struggling with his front forks bottoming out. This is his first time racing at Brands and he loves the track.

WSBK race results (1) - Brands Hatch:

1. Troy Bayliss
2. James Toseland
3. Noriyuki Haga
4. Andrew Pitt
5. Yukio Kagayama
6. Troy Corser
7. Chris Walker
8. Alex Barros
9. Regis Laconi
10. Rubens Xaus