LEON Haslam flattered to deceive on his World Superbike Championship return – but the 'Pocket Rocket' has vowed to be Mr Consistent when he launches his 2010 campaign at the scene of former glories this weekend.

The 26-year-old from Smalley hit the ground running in 2009 by climbing the podium in the second race of the opening round at Phillip Island, before claiming second and third place finishes three rounds later in Assen.

Despite taking to the podium again at Donington Park in June, Haslam's outside title hopes fell apart with five retirements and no more silverware in the remaining nine rounds as his Stiggy team ran out of money.

But after setting the pace on the first day of testing in Australia, the new Team Suzuki Alstare signing insists he's on track to add to his Phillip Island trophy haul this weekend.

"I think this has the potential to be the best season of my career and I think I can follow up the glimpses I showed last year," said Haslam, who finished the 2009 campaign in sixth place in the championship with 241 points.

"Last year we had a good team but injuries and the like probably cost us in the standings.

"If we can get a good run of consistent rounds then we have the talent and the bike to challenge at Suzuki.

"I'm racing for a full factory team on a machine that has proved to be very competitive during pre-season tests and we've made good progress.

"I am happy with all the work we've done and the things we found out and this will help us go in the right direction.

"That's more important than lap times. I feel good about our prospects and that's the main thing."

Haslam, who rode for Renegade at world level in 2004, made his return to World Superbikes with Stiggy Honda last year but switched to Suzuki after his former team dropped out of the sport before the 2010 campaign.

And after stepping out of his comfort zone, the former National Youth Motocross champion admits there'll be no excuse for failing to deliver the results this term.

It was looking good yesterday for Haslam when he was fastest in the free practice session before finishing third at the end of first qualifying.

"I've joined a team who are focused entirely on being at the front so that is where I have to be," added Haslam. "I want to win and they want to win so hopefully we will be well suited to each other."

All Superbike World Championship races will be broadcast on British Eurosport, with the European rounds also available in High Definition. British Eurosport Sky 410 & Virgin Media 521, Eurosport HD Sky 412.