BCperformance Kawasaki’s Kyle Buckley is adamant on returning to his usual form this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park’s penultimate round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike (ASBK) Championship presented by Motul Pirelli.

Buckley broke his ankle at Hidden Valley’s fourth round in a controversial incident with Daniel Falzon (JD Racing Yamaha), ruling him out of the Darwin stop as well as Morgan Park just under two weeks ago.

The Kawasaki rider took part in last week’s private test at the Eastern Creek venue, revealing he feels better on the bike than prior to his injury, and is hopeful of a strong performance in New South Wales.

“I’ve done a couple of days up here in Queensland on the bike,” Buckley explained to CycleOnline.com.au. “I went to Sydney last week for the test, and I felt oddly enough better than I did before I had the crash – I think I was a little faster around Eastern Creek than last time.

“I’m pretty confident and a little fitter than I was before, so as long I stay on it, I should be looking at a pretty good round. I think I should be able to step back into where I was really around the top 10.

“Obviously I’d like to be up pushing the front factory guys, but I think if I can step back where I was around eight or ninth position, that would be ideal. Personally, I feel I’m going to come back pretty strong straight away – that’s my goal anyway.”

After missing two rounds, Buckley sits 14th in the standings as two stops remain on the seven-round national calendar.