Shane Byrne will be out to banish the nightmare start he made to the start of the season this weekend in Qatar.

The second round of the championship in Losail will give Sittingbourne rider Byrne the chance to claim his first points in the series after crashing out of both races in Australia a fortnight ago.

Byrne felt the trip to Australia was a massive learning curve and he’s hoping for much better luck this weekend on his Ducati.

Speaking on his official shakey.com website, he said: “I’m now well pumped for Qatar. I think I learnt more in the one weekend in Australia about World Superbikes than I imagined I’d learn this season but it’s all good.

“It was a hard but fair lesson in taking absolutely nothing for granted. I’ve got the speed, the team and a decent bike but it’s going be a whole load of hard work to get anywhere and I can’t wait to start grafting again.

“I know there wasn’t anything to cheer about from Australia but I’m pretty sure our luck will change.”