"It's definitely a bonus! I wasn't really happy with the nickname 'Banana Man' for obviously reasons!" he joked. "For me, Kawasakis are green - I've been riding Kawasaki motocross bikes forever and they were all green, and this is my fifth year on a Kawasaki Superbike and it's good that its green. Unfortunately it hasn't helped (the performance) yet though, so maybe we need some yellow stripes!"
When asked about his 2006 goals, Walker stated that he hopes to be the top Brit this season, which would mean outracing friend and Qatar race one winner
James Toseland, but also revealed an even more significant target:
"There are a few Kawasakis out there now and I'm desperate to be the first one of them - we're factory supported - but hopefully there might be a factory team next year and I want to be on it," he declared.
Finally, Chris was asked for his opinion on the 2006 World Superbike championship as a whole - and claims it'll challenge the likes of
MotoGP for excitement and attention:
"For me the championship this year is going to definitely steal the limelight away from a lot of championships that have had it their own way for a few years - with Bayliss back and four other GP riders - Barros, Rolfo, Xaus, Battaini," said the Stalker. "There are a lot of good guys that have come in and most of them are all on really good bikes as well. As the championship unfolds they'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with.
"Troy (Bayliss) hasn't done anything I didn't expect him to do - when he was last in World Superbike, for me, he and Edwards were a cut above the rest and he hasn't gone away to MotoGP and got any slower! Obviously Ducati have progressed with the bike as well and it's good to see.
"It'll be good; the two Troys battling it out for the title with Barros and everybody else chasing," he concluded.
Bayliss led first qualifying at Phillip Island today, with Barros second.
