The Airwaves Ducati rider has won three of the four races so far this season, opening up a 39 points advantage over team-mate Leon Camier and Byrne already knows he'll be starting on pole position for what has become round three.

Byrne had secured that starting slot during qualifying for the snow aborted opening round last month and that has been carried over to this weekend. Now he is expecting to maintain his winning pedigree at the Kent circuit where he began his racing career and enjoyed a milestone double victory as a 'wild-card' rider in the 2003 World Superbike round.

Byrne heads the pack but alongside him at the front of the grid should be his title rival Cal Crutchlow, the HM Plant Honda rider, who is facing a race against time to be fit after sustaining an ankle injury in a crash during last Sunday's round at Oulton Park.

Karl Harris, also battling back from injury, has a front row start for his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha, with Leon Haslam alongside him - the 24 year old Derbyshire rider is playing catch-up in the title stakes, and was disqualified from last weekend's second race at Oulton park after taking out race leader Tom Sykes, and really needs a winning double to put his hopes firmly back on track.

Camier, currently second in the title stakes, will start his Airwaves Ducati from the second row of the grid, alongside the fast maturing Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki, a rider who will be hoping for an upturn in fortune after two crashes in his last three races.

Simon Andrews, aboard the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha will be looking for a strong performance as will the vastly experienced Michael Rutter whose career has been rejuvenated since joining the North West 200 Ducati team.

Stuart Easton and Billy McConnell are capable of strong performances aboard the MSS Discovery Kawasakis while James Ellison is hungry for more podium finishes after his superb showing last time out in Cheshire. His Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team-mate Guy Martin is also one to watch, along with Relentless Suzuki rider Michael Laverty.

His brother John will be looking to extend his advantage in the Daily Star Cup. The BuildbaseNW200 Ducati rider has won three of the four races so far, beaten only by Steve Mercer aboard the Bob Farnham Tuning Sondel Yamaha - he could make local knowledge count having a strong track record at the circuit. James Buckingham and Tom Tunstall also expect to be in the hunt for honours.