GRAND Prix exile Darren Barton blasts back into action at Sunday's opening round of the British 125cc Supercup.

And the man dubbed The Chief by his race rivals says he's hungrier than ever to win back one of the biggest prizes in British motorbike racing.

Barton, who was champion in 1995, went well in tests on his new RCD Motorsport Honda at Oulton Park last week and pronounced himself "well pleased" with his 130mph machine.

The 22-year-old Darwen rider said: "I'm itching to get back into competition. I had a very tough time in Grand Prix last season but I learned a huge amount and now I'm ready to get out there and do the business.

"It's great to be with a British team again, and we're having a lot of fun - which is something I missed in Germany last year."

Team boss Mark Hodgson added: "I've always rated Darren as one of the fastest riders in the world, and I'm confident we can give him a bike that will let him show of his talent."

Speed-king Carl Fogarty revved up for the second round of the World Superbike Championships on April 20 with the fastest ride on the opening day of a two-day test at the Misano circuit in Italy.

The Hoddlesden rider, second after the opening round, saw off the challenge of arch rival Aaron Slight from New Zealand to record a time of 1min 34.877 secs. Foggy admits he feels as good about his Ducati bike as he has done all year.

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