from ... Alastair Seeley

'Irish Motorcyclist of the Year'... sounds good eh? After coming close a number of times I've finally nailed that Joey Dunlop trophy. I was a big fan of Joey when I was growing up and with some other great names on it, I feel very privileged to be the 2011 winner.

I don't want to come over all corporate, but there are a lot of people I'd like to thank: Philip and Hector Neill firstly for giving me the chance in 2009 when I'd no ride. I know Ian Glen from Beacon also had a hand in getting me on a TAS bike back then and a few other people. You know who you are.

Since then I've gone on to win two Championships with TAS and also with Suzuki so I feel part of the family now. I've been involved in Suzuki track days and other corporate bits and pieces that I've really enjoyed doing [thanks George Cheeseman] which is a long way from racing in the Irish Championship paddock. I appreciate it, but it just goes to prove if you put the hard work in and believe in yourself, then it does pay off.

Before Christmas we finally got the deal done to have another crack on the Superbike in 2012 in the team's new Tyco Suzuki colours. I've met Phil Dashey and his team from Tyco and they are real bike fanatics. He's very enthusiastic about the whole deal and that's always a good thing as it motivates the riders to see the sponsors so involved.

I haven't ridden the bike as yet but Philip Neill did set up a test with Crescent's WSB team at Portimao to stand in for the injured John Hopkins, and it was a great few days on their GSX-R1000 Superbike. I think I grew in confidence realising I'm not that far away from those boys.

Big Jack, Les Pearson and the guys in the team looked after me really well [big thanks] and more importantly I've come away with a bit more knowledge and experience, which can only help me this season with Tyco Suzuki.

There's a lot of talk about the new rules and who they will suit and who they won't. Bottom line is the main guys will still be up there at the front. My team-mate Josh Brookes will be one of those, so if I'm hanging onto his coat tails at the start then I won't be far away. Yeah there will be a few of us looking to crack that top four of Laverty, Brookes, Hill and Byrne so it should be interesting.

I've been training hard over the winter months in the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland. They have set me out a sport-specific programme to suit British Superbike and to prepare my body and mind for two races per weekend - and three at times. I'm getting stronger by the day and feel great. Testing can't come quick enough now.

I know what I'm capable of in BSB. I won't be arrogant and make predictions but a fit healthy rider is a confident rider and after two Championships in three years with TAS Suzuki, let's just say I'll not be pulling on my leathers for a Sunday afternoon stroll.