Rea: I'm really bored waiting, like really bored.

Like every other rider out there Johnny Rea can't wait for the race season to start, but unlike most 19-year-old riders Rea will be on board a full factory spec HM Plant Honda for the up and coming 2007 season.

Rea is raring to go and feels he has recovered from the knee injury which he picked up at the Race of the Year at Mallory Park. "I can't wait to get started. Last year I injured my knee and I had to have an operation but I feel I'm over that now. I just want to get going as I'm really bored waiting, like really bored!" he complained.

The crash at Mallory has made the Ulster rider think twice about taking part in one off events saying, "It has really changed my mind about one off races; I certainly wasn't expecting a guy out there in a yellow bib (novice bib) I was committed to passing him round the outside at Gerrards and at the last minute he moved over and I hit the back of him. I think it jammed my brake on and down I went. I didn't slide, instead I tumbled and whatever way I fell I tweaked my knee, it was quite a serious injury." An off season crash can be extremely detrimental especially with a hectic race schedule ahead that requires full fitness.

Rea has been training hard to ensure he is at peak fitness for the start of the season, "I go mountain biking twice a week and I'm in the gym most evenings. I do circuits, running, weights and core stability. Everything to lose weight and build strength and endurance. It's not much fun but it needs to be done," he said.

Following a highly successful 2006 which saw Rea stand on the podium on three occasions in second and third places, his plan for 2007 is to win. "I want to get a good pre season under my belt so I understand the bike. Then come out of the gates fast! I expect to win and consistency is the key. I think there will be one or two more guys up there this year. As well as Kiyo, Greg, Leon, there is Walker, Crutchlow and Camier and they could put a spanner in the works."

HM Plant Honda have a wealth of pre-season testing planned which should give both Rea and his team-mate, current Bennetts British Superbike Champion, Ryuichi Kiyonari a head start.