Leon Haslam Heads Home To BSB

Gordon Ritchie | December 17, 2015

With no competitive rides left in the WorldSBK championship for two time 2015 race winner Leon Haslam the British Superbike Championship scene has welcomed him with open arms – and a Kawasaki-supported Ninja ZX-10R package.

Now signed with the GB Moto JG Speedfit Team for a full season in the British Superbike Championship, Haslam looks to have a highly competitive machine for his return to action on home tarmac, as part of the forthcoming 12 round series.

“This is something I have been in the mix of over the last month or so,” said Haslam. “It feels like good timing with respect to Josh and Milwaukee leaving. BSB made a good push, I have been in contact with Mark (Team Principal) and his team, and obviously Kawasaki, now that team has this support. It is looking really positive from that point of view; quite exciting.”

Haslam is aware that he is going back to BSB racing before he wanted to, but the simple fact is that all the best rides – the only ones that would let him push for wins and championships in WorldSBK – were taken. Had Aprilia stayed around in WorldSBK, he would have stayed put.

“The hardest thing is that if the factory Aprilia was running I would 100% stay in WorldSBK,” said Haslam. “If I was offered Jonathan or Tom’s rides, or Chaz or Giugliano’s rides I would stay but realistically who is going to beat Tom and Jonathan on the Kawi and Chaz on the Ducatis? No matter what other ride you sit on in that grid you are not going to finish in the top three – unless the factory Aprilia is going to continue. And they are not. For me, to finish fourth again and ride the wheels off a satellite bike, or whatever… yes I would have done a good job and had a good year and maybe got podiums – maybe race wins again – but finishing fourth in the world again? On a bike that wasn’t as good or a team that wasn’t as good, it wasn’t that appealing. If I had got an opportunity to win? 100% my heart is to be world champion. I know I can beat Johnnies and Toms and Chazes – I have raced against them my whole career and it is not have doubt in my mind that I can do that – but you do need the bike, you do need the package. If that is not there then I looked to create an opportunity for the year after next to get on a winning package. Or do what I have done, which is take an opportunity for British Superbike with a definite winning package and a good opportunity in my eyes.”