Shane Byrne embarks on a new challenge this weekend as he takes part in round one of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.

Byrne takes to the world stage fresh from winning the British Superbike title for the second time in his career and the 32-year-old insists he’s not there just to make up the numbers.

During pre-season testing Byrne put the factory teams in the shadows as he finished top rider at the Portugese race circuit Portimao.

The Sittingbourne racer will be competing for the privateer Sterilgarda Racing Team this season.

"I have confidence in my team who have done a great job setting up the bike during the Portimao tests and I rely on the very fast Ducati 1098," said Byrne.

"My goal for the new season is to fight for the top spot."

Byrne’s last experience on the world stage was in the Moto GP championship between 2004 and 2005 but he failed to make an impact as he was riding inferior machines.

He feels that the difference in machinery in the World Superbike Championship won’t make such an impact.

"What I really like is that even with a non-factory bike you can be competitive," he said.

"The only risk is that you don’t get any updates throughout the year and you get left behind by development. But at the moment we are right on the pace."

Practice and qualifying starts on Friday and Superpole is on Saturday at 3pm. The two 22-lap races take place on Sunday 12pm and 3.30pm.