Jonathan Rea aiming to finish year strongly as Phillip Island hosts World Superbike finale in Australia

The six-time champion is on his longest spell without a victory since he joined the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2015.

Rea, who has won a record 117 races, has claimed five victories this season, with his last success achieved at Estoril in Portugal in May.

Newly crowned champion Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu have won every race held since then for Ducati and Yamaha, but Rea is primarily concerned with ending the season in a positive way before the winter break.

“It’s not the main focus of the weekend, we’ll just try and do our best,” Rea said.

“The level in Superbike is so high that we have to think about ourselves, try to maximise our opportunities and also keep an eye out for the weather this weekend because we’re at the back end of spring here, so you can experience four seasons in a day.

“We’ll try to remain calm throughout the weekend, work methodically and try and finish the year with a good feeling. If a win can come that would be really nice.”

Rea has welcomed the return of Phillip Island to the calendar for the first time since 2020 and describes the picturesque venue as a “second home race”.

“I’m really excited as it’s like a second home race, with my wife being born in the town here,” said Rea, who won the Superpole race in 2020.

“We spend a lot of time here – it feels strange getting out of my own bed and going to the circuit.

“It’s an iconic track, full of challenges; the fast and flowing nature of the corners make it one that all riders love and it brings a lot of excitement with fourth and fifth gear corners – especially turn three which is a fifth-gear corner – so I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

The 35-year-old is also mindful of the role the weather could play this weekend, with the race taking place much later in the year compared to its traditional slot as the season-opener on the calendar in previous years.

“Being so cool, lap times will be faster as we put a lot of energy into the tyre at Phillip Island,” Rea said.

“High temperatures create more spinning with the tyres and more tyre consumption, so with more grip and potentially less spinning, the tyre should last longer, and the times should be faster.

“Friday is meant to be a good temperature whereas Saturday and Sunday could be anything. It’s nice that we get to revisit Phillip Island so fast after the last round with it starting in 2023.

“Of course, between now and then, we’ll have winter testing and try new parts and items before coming back down in more summer-like weather.”

The Ulsterman is third in the standings but is 37 points behind 2021 champion Razgatlioglu with the final three races to go.

Saturday’s first race is at 05:00 GMT with the Superpole race on Sunday scheduled for 02:00 GMT, followed by race two at 05:00 GMT.