Jonathan Rea insists he is relishing carrying the underdog tag in this year's World Superbike championship following last season's "kicking" by Alvaro Bautista.
Spanish star Bautista proved a class apart on the ultra-fast Ducati, finishing 99 points ahead of third-placed Rea.
The pair will line up at Phillip Island this weekend as the opening round of the 2023 championship gets under way in Australia.
Read more: Jonathan Rea on vlogging, underdog status, retirement and being 'all in'
Three years ago Rea won his sixth successive World Superbike title, but was pipped by Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2021 and then blitzed by Bautista last year.
The County Antrim rider says the shift in momentum is a reminder of how difficult it is to win one world title, let alone six on the bounce.
He said: "In 2021 I still fought for a title to the last race of the season. I lost by 13 points.
"Last year was more of a kicking, because we lost by in and around 100 points. So we were beaten last year, outright.
"It is one of them where you have to understand this is your reality and you need to improve. And I think the underdog status really suits us.
"I am looking forward to the lack of pressure now. We can go out and fight for race wins and try and put a year together.
"When I won my sixth world championship the expectation was super high. And there comes an adjustment period where you get angry and pissed off at not being the main guy.
"But quickly you have to respect your rivals and understand that world titles don't come for free and everyone is working hard.
So once that sunk in, we readjusted our mentalities and targets and that's where we are now, trying to win back that number one plate."
Rea admits his life has been consumed by racing since making his World Superbike debut back in 2009, but accepts sacrifices can be the difference between winning and losing.
"It is physically and mentally challenging. Since I joined the championship in 2009 things have changed," the Kawasaki rider said.
"These are athletes, not just motorbike riders. Everyone is leading a super fit and healthy lifestyle and it is a huge sacrifice.
"Every waking hour at home is based on making decisions to make you better as a motorbike rider, and I have been all in since back in 2009. And as you get older you have to take it more seriously.
"I enjoy that, giving my all."
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