Leon Haslam has admitted the switch from Ducati to Honda this season has been a steeper learning curve than he was anticipating.
Haslam switched from GSE Racing to 2006 and 2007 Champions HM Plant in the off season, but while he entered the season as one of the title favourites, he is currently fourth overall in the standings after 12 races.
More concerning for him is the fact that he is yet to win a race this season, a particularly frustrating fact given he led races at
Donington Park,
Snetterton and
Mallory Park.
Indeed, Haslam concedes he has struggled to adapt to a new team, bike and tyres, but after showing improved pace in recent rounds, the winner of eleven BSB races insists they are hurdles he is beginning to overcome as the season progresses.
"I have not had my best season to be fair and we have had a few problems and a bit of bad luck but we have been there or thereabouts,” he told the official British Superbike website.
“I am feeling happier on the bike now, the team have been working hard and we have found out a few things and have been able to make the changes following the first rounds and the testing we have done."
"Our championship position really has been down to some bad luck and we have got the potential to win so it is a case of just going for it and then it will come. The switch between the Ducati and the Honda has been a bit of a hard learning curve for me with a new team, new bike and new tyres at the start of the season.
“I have had to adapt with a different riding style to suit the new bike as it works differently and it also reacts differently in terms of throttle control and set-up but I feel like it is all coming together.
"I think my bad results have come when I was trying to push too hard but I want to win and it will come and I am not putting myself under any pressure for it."
