Leon Haslam takes the lead in the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship

Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla is 15 points down team-mate and series leader Leon Haslam. © GSE Racing. Leon Haslam has taken the lead in the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship for the first time in a dramatic eleventh round in which he took a second place, and then a victory in front of record Bank Holiday crowd at Cadwell Park.

The Airwaves Ducati rider was struck down by an energy sapping stomach bug in the early hours of Monday morning, but he was determined that nothing was to slow his charge to the top. He powered his Ducati to a fourth pole start of the campaign, recording the fastest ever lap of the 2.18 mile Lincolnshire circuit, but that counted for little as along with his rivals he was faced with a gamble on tyres as a thunderstorm left the track awash.

Karl Harris, running with full wets on his HM Plant Honda, set the early pace, before he was taken by his then series leading team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, while Haslam, and his teamster Gregorio Lavilla, ran in mid-pack, having opted for ‘cut-slick' front tyres. As the track dried, their challenge intensified with Haslam moving second and closing in on Kiyonari.
With five laps to go, Haslam snatched the lead, but not for long, as Lavilla eased ahead at Park Corner and then pulled out a five second advantage as he chalked up his eighth victory of the campaign. Kiyonari took third place, ahead of former Shane Bynre, riding Rizla Suzuki, and Tommy Hill, the winner of the corresponding race last year for Virgin Mobile Yamaha.

Leon Haslam: “It has been a fantastic day for us and I am really pleased with the result. The weather played a big part and it was a tyre decision, made as a team that has given us such a successful day. I am delighted to be leading the championship and I can't wait for Silverstone; with double points at Brands it will be an exciting end to the season.”

Gregorio Lavilla: “Today has been good and I am so happy with my results. To get a win and a 2nd place is great especially as I don't like this circuit that much! The bike is working really well so we are looking forward to the final two rounds of the championship as it is going to be very exciting for the fans.”

Shakey Byrne made a super get-away in the second race, with Lavilla tucked in behind, and Haslam, third from Jonathan Rea and Hill, not far adrift, but there was opening lap misery for Kiyonari as he tipped off at Barn Corner. Lavilla was ahead on the third lap, with Haslam duelling with Byrne, with the latter sliding out of second place at Park Corner on the eighth lap.

Haslam was hot on the charge and within a couple of laps he was ahead, sweeping through on the inside at Park Corner, but, he could take nothing for granted as Harris was upping the tempo, breaking the lap record and closing on the leading duo.
The Honda rider grabbed second from Lavilla, as the reigning champion held on grimly as his bike snaked wickedly out of line, but on the penultimate Harris was down at the Chicane. Lavilla was back to second, but Haslam was on course for a second victory in three races.

Haslam leads the title chase 352-337 ahead of Lavilla, with Kiyonari on 326 points.
Jonathan Rea claimed third place in the second race for Red Bull Honda, ahead of Hill and Harris who had re-mounted to take fifth place from the local hero Steve Plater, again deputising for the injured James Hayden aboard the Rizla Suzuki.

Marty Nutt, riding the NuttTravel.com Suzuki, and Michael Howarth, aboard the MAR Kawasaki, took the victories in the British Superbike Cup.
(Nick Harris Media Communications)

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