A PROMISING START TO THE SEASON FOR AIRWAVES DUCATI AT BRANDS
HATCH
After Round One at Brands Hatch Airwaves Ducati rider Gregorio
Lavilla leads the Championship having won the first race and
finishing third in the second. Leon Haslam had a mixed weekend,
crashing out of race one and finishing second in race two.
Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Haslam were pole position and second
on the grid for the start of the British Superbike Season.
In a dry race one Haslam took an early lead with Lavilla moving
into second. The 2005 BSB Champion chased his team mate hard
recording a new lap record of 45.800 on lap 2 to take the
lead. On lap 19 Haslam crashed at Paddock Hill bend, the race
was stopped resulting in a first place finish for Lavilla
who crossed the line 4.222 seconds ahead of Karl Harris.
Having been cleared to ride in race two Haslam came to the
grid with intermediate tyres and Lavilla opted for slicks
as the rain had yet to fall. Ryuichi Kiyonari led from early
on in the race and was 7 seconds ahead of the rest of the
field by lap 3. Lavilla and Haslam settled into second and
third place and were set to finish in that order until Haslam
stole second place from his team mate on the line by 0.171
seconds.
After race two Haslam commented, “Obviously I am hugely
disappointed with the first race but I have not injured myself
too badly and I was cleared to ride in the second race which
allowed me to get back out there and try to secure a good
result for the team. The weather was a problem for both Greg
and I but to get a podium finish in these conditions and after
my first race I am pleased with the result.”
With round one of the championship complete the reigning
champion Gregorio Lavilla said, “It has been a good
weekend for myself and the team; being on pole position, then
a win in race one and a third place in race two. It was clear
that my tyre choice was key as I was the only one out there
on slicks but I am happy with the results. We have some things
to work on for the next round at Donington and I shall be
hoping for some dry conditions.” He added, “My
thoughts go to our electronics guy, Christian, who couldn’t
be here due to ill health. We all hope he gets better soon
and thank him for his part in this weekends result.”
BSB Race One
1) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati
2) Karl Harris – HM Plant Honda
3) Michael Rutter – Stobart Motorsport
4) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda
DNF Leon Haslam - Airwaves Ducati
BSB Race Two
1) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda
2) Leon Haslam – Airwaves Ducati
3) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati
4) Craig Coxhell – Hawk Kawasaki
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