Pitt, who clinched this year's title in the final round at Imola on September 30, is scheduled to arrive back in Australia tomorrow fresh from a three-day private test at the Almeria circuit in Spain from November 5-7.

The 25-year-old said the test was the first opportunity for him to evaluate the Ohlins suspension he will use on his Kawasaki ZX-6R in the 2002 championship, which starts at Valencia in Spain on March 10.

Pitt, whose four-stroke machine was fitted with WP suspension in 2001, also tested new gearbox components and brake pads during his 90-lap stint on the Almeria circuit, and a selection of new Dunlop tyres.

"It was important to do as much work as we could with the Ohlins and try and get a good baseline suspension setting," said Pitt.

"On the final day we started getting it sorted and my best lap time was almost 2-seconds quicker than when we tested at Almeria at the same time last year."

"Already I feel the new suspension gives me better bike control, and with more work in the off-season the potential is there to be quicker on all types of tracks next season."

Pitt said he had been assisted during the test by Ohlins technician and former World Superbike Championship rider Anders Andersson, from Sweden.

"I was really please with the test – the new brake pads we tried seemed better than what we had this year and Dunlop have developed some new tyre compounds and constructions," said Pitt.

"Almeria is a good place to try things because it's got some fast corners where you need quick changes of direction, a long straight, and some hard braking places."

Pitt said that after a short break in Australia he would resume his off-season preparation with a three-day test from December 4-6 at Kyalami in South Africa, venue for the third round of next year's championship.

"We will be doing some more suspension work, and I'm told we can expect a 'new-spec' engine as well at Kyalami," said Pitt.

"Our bike will be in its fourth season next year, so it's a bit older than most of the others, but with the updates and improvements I think the Kawasaki will stay competitive."

Pitt won the 2001 championship title after finishing with six top-three podium finishes from the 11 rounds. He won the title ahead of Italian Paolo Casoli on a Yamaha.

2002 World SuperSport Calendar

1. March 10 - Spain - Valencia
2. March 24 - Australia - Phillip Island
3. April 7 - South Africa - Kyalami
4. April 21 - Japan - Sugo
5. May 12 - Italy - Monza
6. May 26 - Great Britain - Silverstone
7. June 9 - Germany - Eurospeedway Lausitz
8. June 30 - San Marino - Misano
9. July 28 - Great Britain - Brands Hatch
10. September 1 - Germany - Oschersleben
11. September 8 - Netherlands - Assen
12. September 29 - Italy - Imola