The Northern Irishman, one of the brightest young stars in the series, had been seen as a potential title contender aboard his Honda but the team struggled to get the best out of the CBR1000RR and wrist, arm and collarbone injuries suffered in mid-season then kept Rea sidelined for two months.

"We're where we kind of expected to be and we know that to win here is going to be a very big task," said the 25-year-old. "(Champion) Carlos (Checa) is riding very well and consistently but we're still changing things on the bike because I'm still not 100% satisfied with the set-up. It's been really good just be on track with the others though, and I'm really enjoying riding the bike."

He added: "I can really feel what the bike's doing and the electronics are working really well. I'm looking forward to Friday's sessions."

Spanish veteran Checa continues with the Althea Ducati team this season and was the class of the field for the majority of this week's pre-season test, despite his Ducati carrying a 6kg handicap in an effort to limit its superiority.

His principal title rivals from last season, Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri, will again look to be among the front-runners as the former continues with Aprilia while Melandri has moved to BMW.

One man who will not be racing this weekend is John Hopkins.

The American, returning to the series after a spell in the British championship, fractured his right hand in a testing crash and has had to undergo surgery, just weeks after having an operation to amputate part of a finger on the same hand.

Leon Haslam is also a doubt for this weekend after fracturing his tibia in a crash earlier this week, the Briton waiting for the outcome of surgery on the injury before deciding whether to race.

New Aprilia signing Eugene Laverty looks set to ride as he recovers from his own fractured hand.