British Superbike News

Leon Haslam

HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam, won both races this weekend in the ninth round of the British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park.

In race one, Tom Sykes led the race from the start on the Rizla Suzuki after starting from pole position, but Haslam remained on his tail until just over half way when Sykes had a front end slide allowing Haslam through.

Exactly the same scenario happened in race two with Haslam out braking Sykes on lap seven to take the lead moving Sykes again into second position.

In both races, Shane Byrne took third place on the Airwaves Ducati with Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati in fourth.

It was a disastrous weekend for the second HM Plant Honda rider, Cal Crutchlow, who could only manage fifth place in race one after struggling to keep up with the pace and then crashed out in race two on the third lap going into Halls Bend.  He managed to rejoin the race but finished down in thirteenth place.

Haslam said,

“This weekend didn’t start great here for me, I had the crash in practice then we had a wet session and qualifying didn’t go according to plan and I was fourth.  But the HM Plant Honda worked like a dream today, it was unfortunate for Cal to crash out but these things happen.

To get the first double win of the year for the HM Plant Honda team is great and I think it might be the first time the team have taken the double here at their local circuit.

We had a bit of bad luck at the start of this year and I did lack a bit of confidence but the team have worked hard and the bike has increased ten-fold now and we are back to winning ways.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, Race one result:

1. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)

2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.551s

3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +8.819s

4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +11.981s

5. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +18.970s

6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +19.482s

7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +22.094s

8. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +26.571s

9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +33.816s

10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +34.606s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, race two result:

1.Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)

2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.541s

3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.910s

4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.269s

5. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +16.556s

6. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +23.458s

7. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +27.178s

8. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +27.375s

9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +28.549S

10. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +37.426s