Jonathan Rea hoping familiar surroundings can help turn around World Superbike fortunes
Rea is feeling more optimistic for the fifth round of the series, when he will be looking to score his first points of the year this weekend.
'It's going to be nice to be back on my R1 so quickly after a difficult return weekend in Cremona – even coming back from injury, the results were well below my expectations but I had to start somewhere,' said the six-time world champion.
'Most is a more familiar track, despite still being relatively new on the World Superbike calendar, where I've had some good races, podiums and a win.
'The circuit layout should be more favourable for me as a clockwise circuit, reducing the demand on my left foot. Since Cremona, even with some pain still getting into a motocross boot, I've been riding a lot of MX to work on building up my bike strength,' added the 38-year-old.
'We're ready to go again – it's a step-by-step process to get back to the pace we showed in pre-season but I am looking forward to it and we know more what to expect this weekend in the Czech Republic.'
Free practice takes place on Friday with the first race on Saturday at 1pm BST.
Meanwhile, Donington Park hosts round two of the British Superbike Championship less than two weeks on from the tragic racing incident that claimed the lives of England's Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson from New Zealand on the opening lap of the feature Supersport race.
BSB title hopeful Glenn Irwin said: 'Looking ahead to the weekend you almost feel a little bit guilty, because obviously we all want to continue to pay our respects to Owen and Shane's families, and when we look back at Oulton Park, the whole event is overshadowed by this sadness.
'This weekend and the whole championship in general is going to be close. The three of us who were in it at Oulton will be there, I expect Kyle (Ryde) to be there and Danny Kent to also join the party this weekend… it's going to be a good one.'
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