THE British are coming – and Leon Haslam is eager to lead the way in the onslaught on the World Superbike Championship.

After four years in British Superbikes (BSB), Haslam will return to the world stage next year when he will ride for the Hanspree Stiggy Honda team.

The Smalley racer will say farewell to BSB in the final round at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Then his focus will turn toward the world series (WSB), in which he rode for Renegade Ducati in 2004.

And he will not be short of company.

For when he makes the move up to world level, he will still be surrounded by familiar faces in the paddock.

Haslam said: "There will be five Brits in the WSB next year. Those are the ones that are already confirmed and there may be more.

"For me that is fantastic. There have been no British riders in the WSB this year since James Toseland won the title in 2007 before he moved to MotoGP, so it will be great for the fans.

"It looks like the series will just get stronger and stronger.

"WSB is not entirely new territory. I was Rookie of the Year in 2004, when I was only 20. Obviously, I have developed a lot as a rider since then.

"I was on a really steep learning curve then and I remember having a few injury problems that year, the worst being when I broke my wrist at Laguna Seca in America.

"But it gave me some fantastic experience and also means that a lot of the tracks will be familiar too.

"The bike will also be similar to the one we have been using this year. We'll be using different suspension and different electronics but basically it will be the same Fireblade."

Newly-crowned BSB champion Shane Byrne and Tom Sykes will be among his rivals, along with Jonathan Rea, who has been riding in World Supersport this year.

Their presence could herald a British renaissance in WSB.

Since Toseland won the crown, the home fans have had little to cheer.

But with plenty of riders to support in 2009 – on machinery that could provide them with the opportunity of making a considerable impact – supporters can look forward to plenty of excitement, especially when the series comes to Donington Park on June 28.

However, Sunday's race will not be Haslam's last for HM Plant Honda before their partnership is dissolved.

He will wear the team's livery for the last time when he takes part in the final WSB race of the season as a wild-card entry in Portimao, Portugal, on November 2.

After that he will turn his attention towards 2009 and the first race of the year at Phillip Island, Australia, on March 1.

He said: "My new team is Swedish but I think they will get a new base somewhere in central Europe because they just wouldn't be able to make all the travelling.

"I've known Johan Stigefelt (the team owner) for a long time. In fact, I raced against him in the 500cc GP class in 2001.

"He is a genuine guy. He left racing to follow his dream of setting up his own team and now we are back together.

"The fact that the team will be based in continental Europe shouldn't really affect me too much. I won't need to move, just go to the races and the testing.

"That's what I'm looking forward to now."

The Donington race is likely to be the only visit to these shores by the WSB stars next year. Brands Hatch, which has hosted a round of the championship for the last six seasons, looks certain to be axed from the calendar because of falling attendances.