Image: Supplied.

Four-time reigning champion Jonathan Rea is eager to hit the track this weekend as the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) returns from a mid-season break at Portimao, the Kawasaki Racing Team ace already establishing a set-up direction after recently testing at the venue.

Rea, who’s anticipating a significant turnout of Irish fans at the Portuguese circuit, gained valuable data throughout two days of testing at Portimao last month, which he believes will put him on the front-foot come Friday’s practice.

“I am really excited to get back into racing again,” said Rea. “It has been such a long time since the last WorldSBK races and I can’t wait for the Portimao weekend. I love the track and after the tests we have a clear direction of the base settings that we will start with on the Ninja ZX-10RR.

“We will work step-by-step through Friday, trying to get a race package, and then focus on our qualifying to make sure we have a good race. I am going to have a lot of travelling support over from Northern Ireland and I cannot wait to get back to business. That race weekend feeling is something I really enjoy, together with all my team.”

The Irishman currently leads Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by 81 points in the championship rankings.