“Last year I had a really awesome team, but there were only some of the guys I was close to, whereas in this team everyone is close, right from the hospitality to suspension guys to tyre guys to mechanics and the team owners. I feel like I've just fit in well and they're looking after my needs and trying to nurture me as a rider, as opposed to trying to win races, and if you don't win just leaving you alone and having a song and dance about it.
“Testing has gone really well too. We had three days at Phillip Island; I was on the pace from day one and we finished up the test second-quickest. The one thing I struggled with was the out-and-out race times; I felt that over a race distance I was fine, it's just that we don't use qualifying tyres and I was trying to get my head around giving it one full lap on a race tyre for a lap time. I think that should come anyway, though, and when we get to Qatar for the first race I'll give it a bit more.
“My team-mate Andrew Pitt is a really good guy; we've struck it off really well and have a good relationship both professionally and socially, so hopefully our rivalry will bring out the best in us both and drive the whole team forward.
“There are going to be loads of [rivals]; Andrew is an ex-world champion, and Broc Parkes has come into the season running as well with a good package. I'm sure (Fabien) Foret will be up there too, as will Craig Jones, and when Tommy Hill gets back on his feet I'm sure he'll be there as well.”
Rea finished the 2007 campaign as runner-up in the hotly-fought British Superbike Championship to HM Plant Honda team-mate and former title-winner
Ryuichi Kiyonari. He admitted he is sad to have left the series behind, but added that it would be particularly meaningful to return to racing in front of his home supporters when the WSBK circus visits
Brands Hatch at the beginning of August and
Donington Park four weeks later.
