From a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: The Superbike World Championship starts its first race of the season on the European continent at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia this Sunday. The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Superbike and Supersport teams, who completed a successful test at the same Spanish circuit two weeks ago, are all geared up for the third round of the championship. Carlos Checa is expected to continue his progress and put some more points on the board, as he makes his first Superbike appearance in front of his home audience. Kenan Sofuoglu is targeting to improve his race performance after a difficult start of the season, while Ryuichi Kiyonari showed he is already on the pace after completing a successful test ahead of the forthcoming race. Supersport riders Pitt and Rea will continue to make up for their DNF’s at the start of the season. Pitt, who claimed first in the Phillip Island race and his teammate Jonathan Rea were both well on the pace during the last Valencia test and quietly confident for this weekend’s race. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager; We completed a good test in Valencia in which we mainly worked on the race setting, so that part of the job seems to be done for this weekend. It was the first real test for the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and we tested a lot of new engine and chassis parts. We are now on level ground again and should be able to run with the front of the field straight away, instead of having to make up one or two seconds like we had to do in the first rounds. The specific lay-out of the Valencia track means it’ll be a tight battle, specially in the first half of the race. Andrew Pitt, Honda CBR600RR; I’ve been very consistent here in the last test and able to put in some good lap times We’ve made good improvements on the bike and with the right setup we should be able to roll straight out of the garage and compete for the podium. Jonathan Rea, Honda CBR600RR; During the last test we made some good improvements, which put us in a good position for this weekend’s race. I understand my Honda CBR600RR so much better now and my confidence with the Pirelli tire is growing in each outing. I really enjoy this circuit and am confidently looking forward to the race. Carlos Checa, Honda CBR1000RR; We made some good progress here during the last test. We definitely come better prepared then the first races in Qatar and Australia where we were still awaiting some new parts. I am looking forward to the race; it will be my first Superbike race on my home soil in Spain at an important time in the championship. My target is to stay in front and get a good result. Riyuichi Kiyonari, Honda CBR1000RR; The recent test here at Valencia supplied us with important information about the bike. I’ve left the test with a positive feeling and am eager to set some good results. We’ve already found the good setup for the machine and are ready to go. Kenan Sofuoglu, Honda CBR1000RR; I had a difficult test for the first time on the Superbike here in Valencia a couple of weeks ago. The next steps will hopefully be easier. I can only work hard and make progress, which I’ll hopefully be able to do this weekend.