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Despite being a highly experienced racer on many machines and in various categories, this season is his first full-time WSB experience. After some brilliant performances in pre-season testing, it looked like it would be a bright one all the way for the two-time British Superbike champion.

But life as a privateer in WSB, even in a team with the experience of Sterilgarda Ducati, has not been that easy for Byrne in real race situations. A lack of development and the ever-improving technical set-up of other machines put him outside the top ten for most of the year, and even as far down as 15th leaving the Miller Motorsports Park round in late May.

But thanks to some good results of late, including a second place at Misano, and a new set-up of his machine to help his push in the early laps of each race, he is looking forward to the run-in to the championship finale in October.

"I can't say that WSB has been a lot more difficult than I expected it to be, because it is a world championship and has a lot of fantastic riders in it, and very strong teams," said Byrne. "Last year was great in BSB obviously, and then I had two WSB tests where I was quickest. We missed the Australian test, went to the first races and things got difficult, and then they started getting more and more difficult."

But things are now on the up for Byrne, even if his machine is basically the same spec as it started the season, while many of his rivals are making constant improvements. "Just lately we have turned a bit of a corner, made a few improvements chassis-wise and the Ducati is always a good bike to go race distance with, so that has helped us out a bit," Said Byrne. "Before, in the first six or seven laps or so, the bike felt a bit cumbersome and I couldn't do what I wanted it to do, but now we have made improvements in that area."

Byrne, as positive and upbeat as ever, even joked about his chances in the last few rounds. "In terms of the places I have been to before, I'm dreading Portimao, because I don't know the place...!" he said, with his tongue firmly in his cheek. "But seriously, the Nürburgring is really and truly a total unknown. The Nürburgring was not even on the old SBK video game! I could not be more clueless about that circuit if I tried. But I bought the 2009 season review DVD so I can watch the races over and over again! Imola may be OK for us, Magny-Cours I have never been to either before, then we finish at Portimao, which we know well now."

For next year, Byrne is still unsure of his plans, but he hopes he will be able to put the lessons of 2009 to good use. "I am really looking forward to next season, should I be able to stay in WSB. So much of the unknowns from this year won't be unknowns any more."