I’m not sure what British Superbikes is going to be like next year. This season has been very strong, but that’s reflected in three of the current top four riders going to the Superbike World Championship for 2009. And the other’s off to the Supersport World Championship.

They’re all British riders too, which is bloody encouraging. Shane Byrne is going to Sterilgada Ducati, Leon Haslam to Stiggy Honda, and Tom Sykes to Yamaha Motor Italia. Cal Crutchlow is heading for Yamaha Supersport.

But it’s two of last year’s British Superbike stars, currently in World Supersport, who will be the ones to watch in World Superbikes next season. Both are making the step up with their current teams – Jonathan Rea with Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, Tommy Hill with Hannspree Honda Althea.

Some of this space for new blood in World Superbikes comes from new manufacturers, in the form of BMW – with Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus – and Aprilia – with Max Biaggi. It’s going to be fascinating to see how they do.

Back to British Superbikes, who’s left? There’s no word yet on Leon Camier, currently fifth in the standings. My guess would be that he’ll be keen to stay in Britain, and take advantage of his experience against what could turn out to be a reasonably inexperienced field.

Then there’s Michael Rutter, who’s a bit older than most but, at sixth in the standings, has proven to be extremely capable of delivering results. Could he and other independents like him end up on tasty factory bikes? Most likely for the factory teams, I guess, is a mix of current independents, promotions from British Supersport, and a foreign import or two.

One face we will be seeing in British Superbikes is that of MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli, who impressed in 2007 on the Tech 3 Yamaha, and has had the odd moment on the Alice Ducati this season. He’ll be on the Rizla Suzuki, presumably alongside Atsushi Watanabe who, in his second season, will probably want to start doing something.