Hotter the better for Haslam at Assen WSBK

Red Devils Aprilia World Superbike title challenger Leon Haslam is hoping for scorchio temperatures at this weekend’s Assen round as it gives him a better chance of challenging for a double win at the Dutch circuit.

Haslam’s RSV4 is very easy on its tyres but if the conditions are not warm, the rear will suffer from cold tear as the bike doesn’t put in enough load to get them up to temperature. So long as the track temperature is warm, he has the grip and longevity to challenge, which was evident at Aragon as the track temperature for race one was 18°C (fourth and 16s behind the winner) and race two was double that (third and three seconds behind the winner).

“We knew both Ducati and Kawasaki – with this either being a test track or based on previous results – were going to be strong. In race one, we were where I thought we were going to be, plus some extra problems. In race two, with hotter conditions and some changes from the team, we actually managed to take the fight to Jonathan,” said Haslam.

“I am a little disappointed I couldn’t challenge him, but for me it was nearly a perfect race with what we had. I come away with my first Aragon podium and now go to Assen, which is a track I enjoy a lot.”

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