'There are just three races left this season, and I need to win them all,' declared Pitt. 'We've tested at Oschersleben already this season, so we know we've got a good set-up and tyre for Sunday's race, but it's bound to be as hard fought as always. The chances are that it will come down to the last five laps once again, and I intend to be up there fighting to make sure that I'm the first across the line at the end.'

Previous experience of the Oschersleben track will also stand James Ellison in good stead this weekend, with the Fuchs Kawasaki rider keen to continue the success he had at the circuit during his two championship winning European Superstock seasons.

'I definitely like this track,' said Ellison. 'I've won the European Superstock race here for the last two years, and I've also ridden in the 24-hour Endurance race, so I've got a few laps under my belt. It's going to be a busy weekend here, but it will be good racing in front of the team's home crowd.'

Currently the leading four-cylinder rider in the Championship standings, Chris Walker can't wait to get back into action on the factory Kawasaki ZX-7RR at Oschersleben.

'I’m really looking forward to the weekend and it will be great to get back on the bike after the summer break,' commented Walker. 'It’s another new track for me, but I’ve had a good look around and it looks smooth and flowing, which should suit the Kawasaki. I'm sure it will be the usual suspects breaking records every other lap, but I think we'll be able to get the bike set up well for this circuit, which means we shouldn’t be too far behind. I'm sure we'll also get a lot of support from the fans this weekend, as this is the team's home round. I just can't wait to get out there!'

Having made the most of the summer break to work on building strength in his injured wrist, Hitoyasu Izutsu returns to Europe confident that he'll rediscover the form he enjoyed prior to his Sugo qualifying crash.

'My wrist is much improved and I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike this weekend,' said Izutsu. 'It's good to be racing in Germany, as the support for the team is always very special here, and I'm hopeful of a good result on Sunday. It's also good to be back in Europe, as Japan is incredibly hot at the moment!'

Joining Walker and Izutsu on the grid at Oschersleben will be Eric Bostrom, returning to Europe for the first time since finishing a close second in this year's AMA Superbike Championship.

'This is my first time at the race track and my first time in Germany,' said Bostrom. 'The track looks fun to ride, with some long constant radius corners, but it does make choosing the right tyre really important, as you’re going to be on the side of it for long periods of time. All in all the track looks pretty cool, but I bet that triple left hand turn is going to take some balls!'