"I have not done a great deal of riding lately, but the build-up has started now," Stroud said.
"Winning is always my aim ... nothing has changed at all," said the 43-year-old Hamilton-based father-of-eight.
"I know Robbie has been riding a lot in Australia and he'll probably be my biggest threat but I know Craig, Sloan, Hayden and Nick will be fast too."
Manawatu maestro Shirriffs (Suzuki GSX-R1000) is certainly one rider who fancies his chances of beating Stroud.
"Anyone is beatable.
"If I didn't think I could win, I wouldn't waste money by going racing," said the 38-year-old air-conditioning installer.
"I'm on the same bike as last year, identical to Andrew's, and it's a bike that won all but one race in the superbike nationals last season. I know it's good and that's why I'm riding one."
Christchurch's Dennis Charlett (Suzuki GSX-R600) could also be expected to defend his 600 Supersport title this season, despite what he would regard as the unwelcome attentions of talented riders such as Christchurch's John Ross, also now on a 600cc Suzuki, Wellington's Glen Skachill (Suzuki), Taupo's Scott Moir (Honda), Inglewood's Midge Smart (Yamaha) or Auckland's Jaden Hassan (Yamaha).
Timaru's Johnny Small (Suzuki), who has just turned 20, revealed he won't defend his Pro Twins title as he instead steps up to race the 600 superstock class this season.
The potency of Suzuki extends all the way through the other various bike categories too, with Auckland's Karl Morgan, New Plymouth's Terry Fitzgerald, Palmerston North's Glen Williams and the Wanganui sidecar pair of Steve Bron/Dennis Simonsen all likely to continue their respective title bids.
The Suzuki Tri Series kicks off at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, on Saturday and wraps up on the Cemetery Circuit, on Wanganui's public streets, on Boxing Day. The New Zealand Superbike Championships kick off at Ruapuna, Christchurch, on January 7-8.
