HASLAM READY FOR 2010 CHALLENGE AFTER LATEST TEST
LEON HASLAM believes the final test session of the year and the first round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship will give a clearer indication of what is achievable in 2010 despite his impressive displays in recent tests.
Haslam has shown promise on the Alstare Suzuki at all of the tests so far; Portimao in October last year, Phillip Island in November, Valencia in December and last week's Portimao outing.
He will test next on February 21-22 at Phillip Island in Australia before the opening round of the 13-round Championship, also at Phillip Island, on February 28.
"It's difficult to know exactly what will happen in that first round'," said Haslam. "There are some riders who race a lot harder than they test and, as can be seen from the lap times in testing, there's nothing in it when you look at the difference between first and 10th place."
He continued: "We've tried to keep a focus on improving the machine, the suspension and the way in which the Pirelli tyres work with those settings," revealed Haslam. "Plus, I've been getting used to a new team and machine to it's been a really worthwhile and fruitful test schedule so far."
The 26-year-old added: "I'm ready to race now and we'll just have to see how the season unfolds. It's a long Championship and there'll be lots of twists and turns so I'd just like to be consistent and get into a position to be able to challenge for podiums at every round."
Haslam does have the benefit of a Phillip Island test last November but he warned: "Every time you go to Phillip Island the conditions are different, just because of its situation next to the sea. In November the track temperatures were more than 50 degrees so it may be of little use when we get there next month."
After an impressive sixth place in the 2009 Championship on the privately-entered Stiggy Racing Honda, Haslam's Championship ambitions for 2010 remain realistic, he concluded: "If I can improve on what I did last year and have the consistency that I had towards the end of 2009 I'll be happy.
"Testing has proven successful but we have to keep working on the machine. Suzuki in Japan have been busy and the support from them is impressive plus, I have a team around me that know exactly what is needed to race at the sharp end so it all points towards an exciting year ahead."
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