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The 2009 season was not an entirely satisfactory one for Carlos Checa. The Spanish rider, in his second year with the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team, was unable to make that major step forward that he himself and everyone around him was expecting, and he finished his tenure in the Dutch outfit in seventh place overall, with no wins and only four podiums to his name.

This paucity of results led Checa to look for other alternatives and a proposal to race with a new Althea Ducati, has provided him with the right motivation. Checa's first contact with the Italian squad and bike was at the post-race Portimao tests last week and Carlos was immediately full of enthusiasm for this new venture in Superbike.

"I was riding the Ducati with which Marco Borciani took part in the CIV championship", declared the 37 year-old from San Fruitos, Barcelona. "We're obviously going to have a competitive bike for the 2010 season on the same level as the factory Ducatis, but I immediately liked the characteristics of the bike and established a good feeling with it".

The same can't be said of this year, when you were again not able to establish the right feeling with the Honda CBR1000RR?

"We started off with the same problems as last year. When we switched to Ohlins suspension, the season was already running its course. In addition I also injured my shoulder in Australia and for two months it was difficult to ride. I have to admit that at a certain point I let go a bit, I didn't have the right motivation. I did a few good races, but not that many".

What are your aims for the 2010 season?

"I'm full of enthusiasm and ready to do well. Obviously there's a lot of work to do but I'm not worried because I find myself in a team where I immediately realized they want to do well. Every year the competition gets tougher and it's not going to be easy but my aim is to consistently be up at the front of the field, because I want to be one of the protagonists of the 2010 WSB championship".