Ballygowan rider Michael Pearson will travel down to Mondello Park this weekend for the third round of the Irish Superbike Championships, with the revamped Pearson, eager to get back into top gear, in preparation for next weeks Kennedy Group International North West 200.

A visit to Mondello last month, saw Pearson return home almost as soon as it had started, as his hand injury sustained on Easter Monday, was just not up to scratch. This meant that Pearson deciding that caution was the better side of valour, and opted out of the meeting.

This time round, there should be no such reoccurrence, with Pearson calling himself ready to get back to the top, with the Carryduff/Boost Drinks Yamaha rider mindful of the North West 200.

With Pearson currently lying in 12th place in the 2008 ISB Standings, some 49pts adrift of series leader Gary Johnston, Pearson will be looking to get on the podium at least, in the three legs of the Superbike Races over Saturday and Sunday.
 
He said: "I don't like Mondello Park, but I'm not making any excuses. Every rider has a track they dislike, and Mondello is mine.    

"I think we can gain some ground at the weekend, as it looks as though the top four in the Championships, Gary Johnston, Brian McCormick, Alistair Seeley, and Michael Laverty, will all be competing in the British Superbike meeting at Brands Hatch on Sunday.     

"Declan Swanton is very good around Mondello, so he will be everyone's target man. My hand is totally good again, and I just want to get this weekend over before the North West practice on Tuesday evening.   To do well there this year is my goal."