Sylvain Guintoli is hopeful he can continue his positive progress with the Pata Yamaha R1 in Thailand but is anticipating a tough job to match the bike to the Chang International Circuit.

The 2014 World Superbike champion enjoyed a solid maiden outing in Thailand last year with Honda, claiming fifth and sixth place finishes, and says he enjoys the fast straights and tight hairpins which characterise the circuit.

With Guintoli and team-mate Alex Lowes debuting the Yamaha R1 at the Thai track this weekend, the French rider is expecting a tough challenge to get the bike up to speed with its weaknesses of top-end speed likely to be exposed on the long straights.

"I'm hoping to continue the good work already produced over the winter, and shown at Phillip Island, with the YZF-R1," Guintoli said. "Chang is a very different layout to PI but we'll work hard to match the bike to the track and see what we can do for the races.

"My first visit to the Buriram circuit in 2015 was a very good surprise as I loved the track. It has a good variety of corners, stop and go at the start and more flowing to finish, and with the consistent temperatures in Thailand it's a very hot race so it's very challenging for the riders."