Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea is targeting the top step as he arrives to Donington Park for the sole UK round of WorldSBK.

Fresh from Japan after testing the endurance-spec Ninja ZX10-RR in preparation for August’s iconic Suzuki 8-hours, Rea is looking forward to getting back on his World Championship machine in front of his home crowd.

36 points splits the six-time champion from current rival and class leader Alvaro Bautista heading into the fifth round of 2022 but with five victories at the Leicestershire circuit already under his belt, the Northern Irishman is confident for more as the weekend fires up in anger.

“It’s very cool to face my home race,” Rea said as round five approaches. “It brings a lot of excitement because a lot of my friends and family will make the trip.

“I always enjoy seeing the faces of the home fans who have been following me since my BSB days. Now the paddock is more open than it was last year so it will be nice to get amongst them and really soak up the atmosphere of a home race.

“It feels like a long time since we have raced, but we have been on the bike. We did some private testing at Aragon and also some preparations for the Suzuka 8 Hours. I have had a lot of bike time recently.

“I am looking forward to the first laps at Donington because it is a track that I really enjoy. It is a circuit of two halves. One fast and flowing, but the end of the lap is very much stop/start. The Ninja ZX-10RR has a good history at Donington and I have had a few wins there now.

“It is a good track to kick start this part of the season. Both Donington and Most come in quick succession, so it is important to capitalise. The target is to win so I am excited to see what we can do.”