Cadwell BSB: Haslam closes the gap on Byrne in title chase after win

JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam made it on to the top step of the rostrum during the second MCE British Superbike race at Cadwell Park, and after a second place finish in the opening race it means that he closes the gap on title rival Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne at the top of the overall standings.

Now only 21 points separate the Panigale and ZX-10R riders in the results table and Haslam was able to secure his spot in the Showdown too. It was also the first time in 17 years that the manufacture has had a victory at the track.

Haslam did hold the official lap record at the circuit and that lasted eight years, until today when he lapped a 1’25.590, going one tenth under his own record at the Lincolnshire track. Now he adds that accolade to the outright lap record that he set during qualifying on Sunday too.

The Derby-based rider decided to run with the SC2 front tyre and the softer SC0 rear Pirelli, and the tyres appeared to have faired much better in the hotter track conditions of race two. They did not wear as quickly as they did in the opening race and Haslam was able to hold on to the front to take the victory with a two second advantage over Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran.

“I feel mega, Cadwell Park has been one of my favourite tracks for a lot of years and it is good to be back especially in front of all those people watching today. It is fantastic and it spurs me on to do well and the win is so great,” said Haslam at the track.

After race one Haslam explained: “We knew we were going to have to do something with the tyre towards the end I could hear that Ducati roaring behind me and I knew it would have a go somewhere and I knew we would have a good race.

“I made that mistake early on and it made me push to catch the guys back up and we need to look at a different strategy and maybe a few final tweaks so we can just keep that tyre so we can fight towards the end.”