Former WorldSBK star Xavier Fores is targeting a top-six finish at the opening round of Bennetts British Superbikes this weekend at a track he finds ‘difficult’.

The Spaniard has ridden at Oulton Park before but says it is a long way from the circuits on which he has spent a majority of his career.

“Finally we start the championship and this is mega. The tests have been really good and the new BMW M1000RR is already working well. It was important for me to get to work straight away with the new team and the new bike to try to get a good understanding from the start,” said the FHO BMW man.

” Already working on the new project has been very positive and following the pre-season tests, I feel that we are getting to the level that we want to be and that is a positive start.

“Oulton Park is the most difficult track for me because it is so different to what I have always been used to, but hopefully the set-up we already have with the bike from testing, and the work that we have planned for next weekend, means we can get a good start to the season.

“I am hoping at least for the top six as the target, but for sure we want to be strong at Oulton Park and if we can be fighting for the podium then I will be very happy as you never know what will happen.”

The action kicks off on Friday so check back for all the news, gossip, times and results from the season opener.