The Mar-Train Yamaha rider faces stiff opposition to regain the crown he won in 2011, with fellow Carrick rider Glenn Irwin, now with Gearlink Kawasaki, having him in his sights. The Times spoke to Seeley before he set off for the opening round and he reflected last season’s second-place finish to Stuart Easton, and looked forward to the new campaign. “Last year I came close but the injuries in the middle of the season made life tough,” said Seeley. “I was leading before the crashes but by the time I was fit and well again Stuart Easton was ahead and it was a matter of playing catch-up. “We clawed our way back to close the points gap, meaning the final round at Brands Hatch would decide the title.” But with Seeley just taking over the lead in the race the red flags came out and the result was taken from the previous lap giving the championship to Easton on the Mar-Train Yamaha. This season the ‘Wee Wizard’ has joined the team Easton left, and he couldn’t be happier. ”It was disappointing to lose the title but to be joining the championship-winning team, it doesn’t get any better. Tim wanted me to ride for him as much as I wanted to go there, so it didn’t take long to strike up a deal,” he smiled. The 34-year-old tested recently in Spain and at Snetterton. He was pleased with the outcome and is now looking forward to the season curtain-raiser at Brands.