HM Plant Honda’s Leon Haslam’s podium place in race two at this weekend’s Portimao World Superbike meeting bodes well for the 2009 season as he moves back into the series.

Haslam will line-up alongside Roberto Rolfo in the Hannspree Stiggy Honda team next year, marking his return to the World Superbike scene he left after an average season in 2004

“Everyone knows I’m moving to World Superbike in 2009 so I think this podium bodes well for me and 2009. I’m staying with the Honda family with Stiggy Honda – which is important to me – and I’m looking forward to next season," said Haslam.

"I’ve wanted to be back on the World scene for a while, so to podium here at the last race of the season and my final race for HM Plant Honda is just brilliant. It’s a fantastic finish to my season with HM Plant Honda – they’ve been awesome – and it’s great to finish the season on a high.”