Former MotoGP rider Chris Burns returns to Assen this weekend for the fourth round of the Dutch Superbike Championship and hopes to build on his sixth-place finish last time out in Belgium.

Onboard the GS Racing Honda CBR1000RR, the Newcastle rider hopes to build on his sixth place last time out at Spa-Francorchamps as he returns to ‘The Cathedral’ for the third time this season. After almost a month’s break, Burns is looking forward to getting back in action and test several huge changes the team have made to the bike.

“The team have worked flat out since we left Spa. They’ve been working hard on the new engine and suspension, and there is a whole lot of new electronics on there now too. I think these changes will make a massive difference. We’ve been almost there in our previous races but just a little bit off the pace. I think now we can get a lot closer," said the Newcastle man.

“I’ve had two sixths so this weekend I’m looking more in the region of top four. The sixth at Spa was a better one for me as a rider because I had to work hard for it. I’m hoping that now we’ve got all the new kit on the bike that we can creep up a bit further.

“It’s a hard championship, the guys at the front are fast, but I’m sure we can catch them. I’m having a great time in this series, I’ve gelled well with the team and the bike is great. I’m going out to Assen chasing a top four, but I’d like to think that we could maybe even squeeze a podium on Sunday.”