British Superbike News

Easter weekend saw the start of the Bennetts British Superbike’s official Pirelli testing at the Snetterton track.

One of the riders out on track was Michael Rutter also known as ‘The Blade’, where he completed several laps on the new 200 Ducati 1098R.

He said “The package is brilliant;  I have just been getting my head round the electronics in testing.  The Ducati package always seems to work, it either suits a rider or it doesn’t.  We just need to get the right feeling to make it work for us.  We have been working with the new Pirelli tyres but it’s the same for everyone – it will even everyone up.  I can’t wait until Brands Hatch – that’s when we will see where everybody is at.”

Leon Haslam has said that this year he wants nothing less than championship win for the HM Plant Honda team.

Last season, Leon also known as the ‘pocket rocket’, was racing for the Airwaves Ducati team and he said “My decision to move to Honda was because I have the chance to move on to the world stage and do some of the events this season.  Honda have been working with my family for years – dad used to race with them.  By riding for the HM Plant Honda team it will give me the opportunity to race in the Suzuka Eight Hour event and some World Superbike Championship rounds.

Talking about his new Fireblade he said “The new Fireblade is a completely new concept and the new developments have been based on Moto GP machines, we also have the new Pirelli tyres, but everybody on the grid is the same.  It is a learning curve but it is awesome, everything is going well and I am looking forward to this season.  I want to win the championship and I am not going to settle for anything less.”

The 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship starts on April 6th at Brands Hatch.