2010 according to Kawasaki's Paul Risbridger

Kawasaki Racing Team Manager Paul Risbridger has two new riders and a whole host of new backroom staff in the pit garage in 2010, all with a common goal of taking Kawasaki back to the position of podium challengers.

A series of intense tests in the past few weeks have delivered positive results for all in the official Kawasaki set-up. But the true test of just how far they have moved forward will come when all the top teams measure themselves against each other at the forthcoming official WSBK tests at Portimao.

"Things are coming together for us," said Risbridger. "In 2010, with the new suspension, new engine spec, new electronics plus the riders, we should have a stronger package. We will know once we start testing at Portimao where we are, but we have made some significant improvements."

He continued. "Our target is quite clear for 2010. We want to be regularly inside the top ten, effectively every meeting. Our target is then to achieve top six finishes, hopefully at a number of circuits. Obviously, some circuits are going to suit us more than others, the usual thing for anybody. We want to be qualifying on the first three rows, running inside the top ten, and aiming to get some top six finishes. What we believe is that if we can achieve that kind of performance, then whether we can get on the podium or not will be a little bit of luck, or whatever. But if you are in the top six then you always have the chance of getting on the podium. And we want to do this with both riders. It will still be pretty tough for everyone because of the level of entry."

Of his riders, Risbridger said, "Chris Vermeulen is obviously coming back to World Superbike and he appears, from everything we have seen so far, to be the class act we expected. Tom Sykes has already shown he can run inside the top three and four. There is no reason why Tom and Chris cannot be pushing each other. From our side one more positive thing is that their riding styles are quite different, and hopefully that will actually be good for us. That means they will be strong in different areas, perhaps different areas of the track, and possible even at different tracks. I do not see that as a bad thing."