Alastair Seeley is hoping everything comes together on the PBM Be Wiser Ducati as he targets Superbike glory at Saturday's North West 200.
Seeley has linked up with the Paul Bird team for this week's international road race event.
It is the same team that helped Glenn Irwin win the previous three Superbike races at the North West 200, but this year's bike is completely new.
Seeley bettered the unofficial lap record during Thursday's qualifying but was outdone by pole sitter Irwin (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) and Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki).
And despite having limited time on the Ducati for this week's races, Seeley is confident of throwing down a serious challenge.
"I haven't had much time on the bike, but the PBM Ducati team's priority is British Superbikes before the North West," Seeley said.
"They have two high profile riders in Josh Brookes and Scott Redding. So they want to prioritise those guys, and the North West comes after that.
"But I got the chance to ride it in Portugal back in March and then again at Kiristown last weekend. It wasn't the best of testing but at least I got time on the bike.
"I got about 60 or 70 laps last weekend at Kirkistown, which is better than none at all. And then I had this week's qualifying.
North West 200 qualifying times as Glenn Irwin snatches pole in Superbike class
"The bike is totally brand new, so they can't go back to any information they had from Glenn's time riding the twin.
"They are basically starting from scratch again."
Seeley added: "I feel good about the bike. Everybody knows looking at the World Superbike scene and also British Superbikes, that the bike has good speed.
"The one thing you want around the North West is speed, it is just making sure it handles okay."
Seeley missed out on registering North West 200 win number 25 on Thursday night when he crashed out of the opening Supersport race.
The 39-year-old was dicing for the lead with Lee Johnston on the final lap when he went onto the grass at Juniper Chicane and lost the rear of his bike.
North West 200 results: Lee Johnston claims thrilling Supersport win as Alastair Seeley crashes out
He still has thee more chances to add to his record number of wins, however, with the second Supersport race and two Superbike contests today.
"I still have three chances, so we will see how it goes," he added.
"There are so many challengers and riders who are performing well right now so it is going to be very difficult.
"In BSB there are guys like Peter Hickman who is really fast, Dean Harrison, Glenn Irwin, myself, Michael Rutter, Gary Johnson, Michael Dunlop, the list goes on.
"It is whoever has had a lot of seat time and has the bike well dialled in, will be up there."
Saturday's Schedule
- RACE 1 – SUPERSPORT
- RACE 2 – SUPERBIKE
- RACE 3 – SUPERTWIN
- RACE 4 – SUPERSTOCK
- RACE 5 –SUPERBIKE
(Roads closed 9.15am-7pm)
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