Vermeulen all set for a home start

Australian rider Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) has returned to the paddock that first made his international reputation this season, and he is already back home in Queensland, ready for the first race of the year.

His double homecoming is a welcome one for SBK in general, and his Aussie fans in particular. Recently Vermeulen spoke about the changes he has noticed since he was last in the SBK paddock, in 2005.

"It seems that there are a lot of things that have changed, especially from a technical point of view," said Chris. "The bikes have evolved a lot, the technology in the equipment and the amount of effort the manufacturers have put into the championship has really come on. Now we can see that there are seven manufacturers. There are also a lot of things that are the same, including some of the faces that you see around, journalists, mechanics, IMS staff - a lot of those people are quite familiar. There will be a few new circuits for me, of course. It kind of feels like home in a way because I guess I grew up in this championship. Three years in Supersport and two in SBK. I just know so many people there."

Vermeulen is pleased to be restarting his SBK connection on home ground, at a circuit he knows well. "It is great to make the next step in my career at Phillip Island. All my family live in Australia, I know the track well, and I will have the support of the Aussie crowd. Hopefully I can put on a good show for the Aussie fans."