Carlos Checa wants to end his two-year tenure with the Ten Kate Honda team on a high as gets ready for his final World Superbike race on factory machinery.

In the week that it was announced the former MotoGP rider will switch to the privateer Althea Ducati team in 2010, Checa is determined to part ways with Ten Kate in style having managed two wins and nine podiums during his time with the team.

One of those podiums occurred at Portimao last season, Checa finishing second in the first race of the day, while he was on course for a similar result in the next encounter when he was caught up in Ruben Xaus' accident.

With Leon Haslam unlikely to be caught for sixth in the overall standings, Checa is looking forward to having some fun around the Portuguese circuit.

“Last year's races at Portimao were quite eventful but good for me, with a podium in the first race. It was looking good also for race two but I got caught in another rider's crash and had to go off the track.

“Portimao is one of the best circuits on the calendar – really good fun and very special – so I hope to finish the season with some good results, as a farewell gift for the team. I'd like to thank them for a very enjoyable two years and for the opportunity to join the World Superbike Championship.

“It's a shame we were not able to fight for the title this season as we hoped, but I will try to make sure we finish with a good race.”