Leon Haslam has confirmed he will get his first chance to ride the Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 K9 when testing gets underway at Portimao just two days after the final round of the 2009 World Superbike season.

Haslam begins his last event for the Stiggy Honda in Portugal this weekend, the Briton destined to finish sixth in the standings as the top 'semi-privateer' concern after an outstanding return to the series that has yielded four podiums.

Having already been confirmed as switching to the factory Suzuki team in 2010, Haslam will pair up with Sylvain Guintoli during testing around the Portuguese circuit, giving him an early taster of what to expect from the bike next season.

Haslam is set to be one of many 'new faces in new places' when the two-day test gets underway on 27th October, with James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow confirmed to appear for Yamaha, while Haslam's predecessor at Suzuki, Max Neukirchner, will be out on the Ten Kate Honda for the first time.