Five fly flag for GB at Donington
Added on Friday, June 26th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Five Brits carrying British hopes this weekend at Donington. Clockwise from top left: Haslam, Rea, Crutchlow, Sykes, Byrne
There will be plenty for British fans to cheer this weekend as the World Superbikes Championship comes to Donington Park.
No less than four riders will be flying the flag for Great Britain at Donington in the ninth round of the WSB championship this weekend whilst a fifth, Cal Crutchlow, will be representing the nation in the Supersport category.
Expectations will be high on the home contingent, with Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes, Shane Byrne, Leon Haslam and Crutchlow all expected to make the most of home advantage and a wealth of experience on the East Midland’s circuit.
For Rea, expectation would have heightened following his impressive win at Misano last week although the Ten Kate Honda rider has been playing down his previous record at the circuit.
Of course, it felt amazing to get that first win under my belt and I think it all bodes well for the remainder of the season,” said the 22-year-old. “To be honest, I’ve never set the world on fire at Donington, but it was that same at Misano before I went there last week so I hope it’ll be good.
“We need to keep making progress to have a good Friday and Saturday to set us up for the race on Sunday. I hope it’s good racing, too, because the British fans will only get one World Superbike meeting this year.
“We’ll just try to make more progress with the new suspension. The wet setting in race one at Misano wasn’t spot on, so we’ll need to find something there if the forecast is anything to go by.”
For Leon Haslam, home advantage should be an even factor at Donington with the Stiggy Honda rider having a bigger connection than most with the venue.
Haslam lives just a stone’s throw from the circuit where his father Ron operates a race school and the 26-year-old is looking to make up for the harsh disappointment of last season.
The then BSB rider, running as a wildcard at Donington last season, Haslam was caught out by a difference in signals between BSB and WSB, costing him second place in race one before being taken out of fourth place in a crash three laps from the end in race two.
“I know Donington well and I was running second there last year as a wild card before being taken out, so we know our pace is good there,” he said. “The last four rounds have been tough for me because they have been held on some circuits that I have never been to before, and that just added to us not having been on top of a few issues as well. I’ve had three no finishes in those four rounds.
“There should be a big crowd at Donington and it will be their only chance to see us at a British race this year as well.”
Yamaha rider Tom Sykes is also calling on experience from last season when he secured a second place finish as a wildcard for the Rizla Suzuki BSB team in race one.
The Yamaha factory rider is the only Brit in the paddock yet to secure a podium finish but the Yorkshireman is nevertheless determined to go one better than last year.
“After Misano I think we’re definitely heading in the right direction towards getting the right balance on the bike for me,” said Sykes. “I should know what I need from the R1 for Donington from previous track experience.
“I had a good run last year as a wildcard so if I can improve on race one where I finished second I’ll be happy.
“There are a couple of set up options to try, I already understand the circuit so I should really get to grips with the changes we make quite easily and hopefully we can do well. I want to come away with a perfect base setting for the remainder of the season and a podium or two and some decent points.”
In the Supersport class, championship leader Cal Crutchlow is fully confident of extending his lead in the standings.
“It’ll be good to go to my home race,” said Cal Crutchlow. “I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to be getting in front of British fans and doing my best for them.
” I’m not treating this round any different from any other race though as we want to win them all with no exceptions. Having said that, to win at home would be nice!”
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