Burns confident ahead of season-opener

Chris Burns admits he can't wait for the start of the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend at Brands Hatch as he gets set to kick-start his Evolution Class title bid.

Burns will spearhead Splitlath Motorsport's two-pronged assault on the new class onboard an Aprilia RSV4 machine, with younger brother Joe riding the sister machine.

Following a successful four-day test at Cartagena in Spain earlier this month, Burns heads to Brands Hatch in confident mood ahead of Easter Monday's opening rounds.

"It's been a long winter, and now I think everyone just wants to get back on their bikes and get out there at Brands Hatch," he said. "We've been out to Spain to test and after a lot of hard work from the team it's fair to say that I'm feeling optimistic ahead of the season.

"During pre-season tests we've worked hard in a bid to turn the RSV4 into a bike which is capable of getting podiums, and I'm hopeful that we will be able to deliver some solid results."

The season will see Burns return to BSB action for the first time since 2008 and he admitted it was good to be back.

"I initially had planned to run Superstock with Splitlath after we sorted a deal out last year," he said. "It was nice for the first time in several years to actually know I had a ride sorted before last year ended.

"But then team manager John Dimbylow decided to give the new EVO class a go, and I was very pleased. The MCE British Superbike Championship is a great series and features some very strong and talented riders.

"We are here as a new team who will be on a bit of a learning curve for the first few rounds, but for me it feels good to be racing here again and I'm determined to give it everything I've got this weekend."