Kawasaki's Leon Haslam believes that after a successful test at Portimao he is ready to take the fight to the WorldSBK front-runners at the Portugese track this weekend.
The reigning British Superbike Champion has had a tough year with injury getting mixed up with learning the intricacies of the ZX-10RR electronics but Haslam feels he has the pace to make the Algarve podium.
“I have had several podiums with various manufacturers over the years at Portimao, and enjoyed some really good racing," said Haslam.
"The recent test was really positive for our team and on race tyres I think we were ranked 1-2. I was only one or two tenths of a second off Jonathan’s best lap time with a race tyre.
It has been a tough year in some ways with a few injuries and having to learn some circuits. But Portimao is a circuit we have tested at now and every time I have done that so far I have made the podium.
"Obviously that is the aim but also I feel we can be even more competitive and challenge the front guys. That is the main aim this weekend and I am really looking forward to it.”
Haslam has recorded six podiums this season andis looking for more this weekend, as well as his first win since his WorldSBK comeback. He is currently fifth overall, having broken through the 200-point mark at Laguna Seca.
