It's been a good winter not just of training but also family time and taking a break to get ready for the season ahead.
In 2019 I will be riding with the RFX KTM team and I'm already feeling very comfortable back on a KTM.
Physically I am in good shape and having taken some family time away from the bike has helped to fully recover from the injuries that I had last year. It's surprising just how quickly you can recover when you take some down time compared to trying that mid-season when the pressure is always on.
I've been back in Scotland for a while because we are expecting a baby in February and in the meantime I've also been training with the team in Spain.
The time with the team in Spain has been excellent. I really feel at home with the RFX guys and the bike. The KTM really suits my riding style so rather than having to fight with a bike that seems to want to dictate what you do I now have a great feeling with the bike and I dictate where it goes.
The team have been great and have given me exactly what was asked for so I have the tools for the job and I'm feeling very confident going into the season..
The tracks around Valencia have been perfect for our training, not as rough as the tracks in the south and not soft and wet as further north. They've been well prepared and give a variety of conditions to ride in. I've also been riding in Scotland whilst I've been here. It's always good to get back out on the tracks at home and being close to home does make a difference.
I have a couple of races in February at Hawkstone Park but I'll be missing a race in France mid-month to be back home for the baby arriving.
Hawkstone on the 17th will be a good shake-down from the winter and sets us up for the first MXGP race in Argentina in March.
I've also got the British Championship coming up and want to be running at the head of the pack holding the red-plate like I have in the past and I feel like the KTM is the bike to do that on.
We have a two week break after that to adjust things and set up for the season so these first races will be a good test of the package and a good chance to see how I ride with the KTM under race pressure - which is always different from training rides and riding on your own.
From that point onwards there is barely a free weekend until the middle of the season so it's hard at work all the way, pushing for the top spots and trying to keep injury ay bay.
2019 is shaping up to be a good year and I'll keep you all updated with my progress.