Leon Haslam World Superbike Championship 2019
Round 1: Phillip Island, Australia, February 22-24Qualifying: 2nd 1m 29.624s
Race one: 15th +41.009s
Superpole Race: 3rd +5.072s
Race two: 3rd +12.454s
Best race lap: 1m 30.639s – Superpole race 6/10
Championship: 6th 24 points
“It was good to get on two podiums after yesterday’s disappointment of a crash and then finishing 15th. In the 10-lap sprint race today I was a little cautious and I got caught behind the Yamahas, so I settled.
I thought I had a little bit in hand to catch Jonathan (Rea) in the final race. I tried to make my own rhythm for the first four laps. After that I tried to save the rear tyre grip which then created a group of five riders. It was a nice easy rhythm and I was feeling good with my pace. Johnny and I had some good passes, good battles. My plan was to go away with two laps to go, then he passed me into turn one and I ran a little wide. At the same time he went 0.4 of a second faster on that lap. I went with him and caught him up on the last lap but I felt like I had been caught out a little bit. To battle with Jonathan in my first race weekend of the year, with his record in this class, I am happy.”
- Leon Haslam
Next round: Chang International Circuit, Buriram, 15th - 17th March
