Double win moves Haslam to third
Added on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Haslam continued his good record at Cadwell.
Leon Haslam stole the headlines at Cadwell Park yesterday by securing a double victory in round ten of the British Superbike Championship.
The Honda rider twice fought off the challenge from Tom Sykes and Shane Byrne to jump to third in the BSB championship, leapfrogging teammate Cal Crutchlow who crashed out during race two.
Haslam, who started on pole position, took part in a thrilling chase with Suzuki rival Sykes after losing the lead to the Yorkshireman in the first corner.
Sykes continued to hold off the determined Haslam but it was only a matter of time before ‘the Rocket’ took the lead at Park corner and held on to continue his strong record at the Lincolnshire circuit.
Sykes finished just half a second behind whilst championship leader Shane Byrne was a distant third, finishing more than 8.8 seconds off the pace.
Race two saw a similar chase between Sykes and Haslam and a similar result, with the top from race one finishing in the same positions in race two.
This time, Hall Bends was the scene for Haslam’s pass on Sykes, taking the lead on lap six after an earlier unsuccessful attempt at the same bend.
The pair continued to battle for the lead up until the chequered flag but it was Haslam who was first across the line to secure Honda’s first double of the season.
After the race, Haslam said: “The 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.”
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
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
British Superbike Championship standings after Cadwell Park:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 364
2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 254
3. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 249
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 236
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 205
