Haslam delighted with Suzuki debut
Added on Friday, October 30th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Haslam delighted with Suzuki debut
Leon Haslam described himself as “over the moon” after his first ever ride with the Suzuki Alstare team, lapping at an impressive pace in the post-season test at Portimao.
Haslam, who has joined Suzuki from the cash-strapped Stiggy Honda team, recorded a time of 1:42.451 according to unofficial timing although Suzuki later claimed that, according to their telemetry, the Brit posted a time of 1:41.980 – just a tenth slower than fastest man Jonathan Rea.
“I am over the moon in every way and really excited about the future,” Haslam was repoted as saying by Crash.net. “We went through more than I expected and found many good ideas to work with.
“It was a shame that I injured myself last Sunday in the morning warm-up on race day, because it meant that I wasn’t 100 per cent here at these tests. I have had internal and external stitches in my left elbow and also damaged some ankle ligaments, but I don’t really notice any pain when I am on the bike. At the end of the day, I feel a bit sore, but nothing too bad.
“I am impressed with the bike and the team and think we have established a good relationship very quickly. Everybody has helped me so much, right from day one. Although Sylvain and I have not had much time to discuss the bike together, I know that we both have said more or less the same things and I am sure that we’ll work very well together.
“When I got on the bike for the first time, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was so happy after the first day because I lapped a second quicker than on raceday last weekend. Of course there is a lot more to learn and it is just a case of getting down to it, making improvements and keeping progressing.
“It’s been really good to have his test, so soon after the season has finished, and get right into it straightaway and now I am already looking forward to the next tests.”
