This weekend, British Superbikes world champion Jonathan Rea will begin his title defence at Phillip Island.

But for most of this summer, he’s been just another bloke in a regional Victorian chain gang.

Rea has made a home in the high country town of Bright with his Australian wife and young family.

And it’s there that the 30-year-old has honed his fitness during the off-season on a bike without a motor.

“It’s an early alarm to go and meet the guys, the local chain gang that leaves from the bike shop,” he told AAP.

“Just a dozen or so guys to 30 or 40 when the tourists come along.

“At first I went under the radar and now I’ve got a sponsor’s kit I hear a few whispers from down back saying ‘you know there’s a world champion in the group’.

“I make sure they don’t treat me any different.”

Just as he does in his peloton, Rea feels at ease in Australia.

Since marrying his Phillip Island-raised bride, he’s gladly called Australia his second home.

The adopted Aussie was also given the key to Phillip Island in the off-season as he prepares his assault on an unprecedented third-straight Superbikes championship.

And if testing is anything to go by, he’s on track.

After saying ‘lap times weren’t a priority’, Rea produced figures that – if produced at this weekend’s meet – would re-write the sport’s record books.

“It gives a bit of pressure doesn’t it,” Rea laughed.

“Especially after two championships. I feel like I’m at the top and people want to take that away – especially with regulation changes to mix things and make it easier for the underdogs.

“But I’m as motivated as ever. It’s not the motivation of breaking records but the fear of not winning again.”

Rea has produced unbelievable consistency in winning the last two titles.

He’s finished in the top four in 56 straight races, save for a handful of retirements.

In 2017, he sees the greatest rival to his dominance coming from Ducati and not his Kawasaki stablemate and 2016 runner-up Tom Sykes.

“No disrespect to (Sykes) – he’s a world champion and has the same materials at his hand than I do – but he hasn’t been the most consistent in winter testing,” he said.

“The biggest opposition is going to come from Chaz Davies again at Ducati and his teammate Marco Melandri. They have a really good package there and are both very strong riders.”