Pata Honda rider Leon Haslam is still experiencing a lot of pain as he still continues to recover from a broken leg. The Brit completed both the World Superbike free practice and qualifying practice's at Portimao and finished thirteenth fastest in this afternoon’s 45-minute qualifying session.

The morning proved a struggle for the Smalley rider, which resulted in him having to take some pain-killing injections which eased the pain for the final session of the afternoon.

The rider felt more in agony this week than he did two weeks ago at Donington Park, which saw him having to withdraw from the main races, under the guidance of his team. Today bending his knee is no longer an issue for the 30-year-old, but he is now experiencing problems in his ligaments and tendons.

“This morning I was actually in a lot more pain than I was at Donington. The ligaments and tendons in my knee are actually a bigger issue now. I can bend the knee how I want and put weight through my leg like I should, but it’s hammering the ligaments,” said Haslam.

“It was better this afternoon after the clinic did some really good taping and gave me some pain-killers. I didn’t do as many laps this afternoon, but it definitely felt better than this morning. Honestly, we’re a little bit off the pace at the moment but I’m pretty confident that we’ll get closer. There’s still a lot to do with the bike and I’ve still got to put a lap together as well.”