Haslam confident of causing upset
Added on Friday, September 5th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Haslam believes that local knowledge will give him the edge.
Leon Haslam believes that he is more than capable of achieving a podium finish at Donington this weekend as he lines up for the European round of the World Superbikes Championship.
The HM Plant Honda rider is one of four wildcard entries from the British Superbike Championship and feels that he has the form and the local knowledge to surprise the best in the world this weekend.
The 25-year-old is in fine form at the moment, having won the last three BSB races to move up to third in the rider’s standings, just five points behind Suzuki’s Tom Sykes.
But despite using a lower-powered BSB specification bike this weekend, Haslam has plenty of insider information which he feels can more than make up for the shortfall.
Donington is Haslam’s home circuit and with father ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam running a race school at the circuit, local knowledge won’t be any problem for the Derbyshire-born rider.
Haslam told the Press Association: “I certainly know my way around and enjoy riding the circuit.
“I’m really looking forward to racing back on the world stage - this is a big event for me and I obviously want to do well, and with home support and my home track am feeling good about it.
“Coming here with three wins on the bounce, I am up and ready, and hope to continue with that form and try to get on the podium at least.”
Haslam will be joined by teammate Cal Crutchlow on the grid this weekend as well as James Ellison and Rizla Suzuki’s Tom Sykes.
Tom Sykes made a huge impression at the Brands Hatch round in August and is aiming to beat Haslam to a top-three finish this time out.
The Rizla Suzuki rider was looking likely to wrap up a podium in race two of the Brands meeting until a late surge by other riders saw him miss out and he is determined to hang on this time.
He said: “That was a very good experience.
“I’m very excited to be back in the world championships and it will be good to carry on where I left off at Brands into the races at Donington.
“I ran strongly and enjoyed mixing it with the world’s regulars and hopefully will now be taking it to the next level - I was running up to fourth place in the second race at Brands but lost out in the closing stages to be seventh.”
