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The effort put in by all involved in the Kawasaki Racing Team has been obvious to see for those working in the WSBK paddock in 2010, with more personnel involved in the background and an extensive programme of development taking place since the very first winter tests.

At Miller last time out the team beat its 2009 performance standards, proving that progress is being made, but it has been a tough season on many occasions - particularly since new signing Chris Vermeulen hurt his right knee badly in a Phillip Island race crash.

Team regular Tom Sykes has impressed many times, particularly at Monza when he finished a season best fifth in race two, but the English rider knows that Miller did not go to plan. "We started the weekend in good shape but although we were consistent with lap times and we improved on last year's times, it was still not fast enough." Bad luck has struck Sykes more than once in 2010, and it affected his final result in race two. "I had a decent launch in both races but in race two I got tangled up with a Ducati rider and lost a few places, which put us in a disastrous 19th place. Middle race distance we struggled with handling into the long left-handed corners but I fought back as hard as I could to finish within the points. I guess that is a positive from the weekend. I'm sorry for the boys but I did the best I could and I look forward to getting things back on track and running nearer the front at Misano."

Vermeulen has been frustrated in his much-lauded return to WSBK racing, but for the first time this year he scored in each race once he had completed his day's work at Miller, "A difficult weekend but we scored points in both races. It was my first time here and we improved the bike all weekend," said Chris.

The British-based team is now making preparations for the next challenge ahead, Misano. Both riders are keen to get recent injuries cleared up during this period of the year, when there are three free weekends between the American and San Marino rounds.