HASLAM PREPARES FOR VALENCIA OUTING
LEON HASLAM will test at the Valencia circuit in Spain on Wednesday and Thursday and the British rider believes this third test aboard the Alstare Suzuki Team machine will be the most important yet.
"We've tested at Portimao and Phillip Island and while those tests were good and valuable for the team and myself this Valencia test wil throw up its own unique set of circuit characteristics and machine issues," explained Haslam.
He continued: "I'm really pleased that we managed to add this Valencia test to the schedule before the end of 2009. We've got the chance to confirm everything that the team has learnt from the tests in Portugal and Australia.
"We also have the possibility to move a step closer to a base setting that can ensure we get off to a good start in the 2010 World Championship."
Haslam will contest the 13-round, 2010 World Superbike Championship for the factory Alstare Suzuki Team having finished in sixth place in the 2009 series riding for the Stiggy Honda Team.
"The 2009 season was a really good step for my career," admitted Haslam. "I needed to re-establish a career path and the opportunity to join the Stiggy Team was perfect for me. Thankfully my 2009 results attracted enough attention and I believe the move to Suzuki and a factory team is a natural, next step and I'm optimistic that my results will improve in line with that move."
The 2010 season gets under way on February 28 at Phillip Island in Australia and Haslam and his Alstare Suzuki Team is expected to test at Portimao in January and at Phillip Island prior to the season opener.
Ends.