Haslam rockets to double win

From britishsuperbike.com

HM Plant Honda's Leon Haslam took his first double win of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship season Monday afternoon after another incredibly close race at Cadwell Park.

Tom Sykes got the flier off the line in the first race on the Rizla Suzuki with the HM Plant Honda duo of Haslam and Cal Crutchlow tucked in behind as the pack streamed through Coppice for the first time.

Sykes held the lead with Haslam shadowing his every move and it was only a matter of time before the HM Plant Honda rider decided to attempt his pass. Sykes was not able to defend as the 'Pocket Rocket' dived down the inside at Park.

Haslam was able to edge out an advantage as Sykes went hard into Barn, with a visible gap between the pair as they reached Coppice. However Sykes was not going to give up without a fight though and by the penultimate lap he had closed back in on him but there was just not enough time for Sykes to make a move to regain the lead.

Meanwhile the battle was on for third, with Crutchlow dropping down the pack with a chatter problem. It was then a Ducati shootout with Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati liveried machine leading at the start, but Byrne was on target to get back on the podium and passed him at Park on lap 10.

The second Airwaves Ducati of Leon Camier then made his move up to fourth past Crutchlow at Park on lap 13 and was attempting to close and pass teammate 'Shakey' but it wasn't to be and he had to settle for fourth.

Sykes again took the lead into Coppice on the opening lap of race two, with Crutchlow and Haslam formation flying in second and third.

It wasn't going to be a strong double result for the second HM Plant Honda though; Crutchlow crashed out on the third lap as the pack streamed in to Hall Bends. The engine casing appeared to touch the curb and down he went, and in doing so relegated himself to fourth in the standings.

Crutchlow did pick up the bike and put in a determined performance to pick up points, working his way back to 15th place.

Haslam was then in second and closing down the leading Rizla Suzuki rider, with Haslam repeating his move from the first race when he dived down the inside at Park on lap six to take the lead.

Haslam and Sykes were then inseparable as the pair diced at the front, with 'The Grinner' looking for any opportunity to take back the advantage but it wasn't enough and he had to settle for second again, but also moved second in the overall standings.

"The weekend didn't start great here for me," Haslam said. "I had the crash in practice then we had a wet session and qualifying didn't go according to plan and I was fourth. But the HM Plant Honda worked like a dream today, it was unfortunate for Cal to crash out but these things happen.

"To get the first double win of the year for the HM Plant Honda team is great and I think it might be the first time the team have taken the double here at their local circuit. We had a bit of bad luck at the start of this year and I did lack a bit of confidence but the team have worked hard and the bike has increased 10-fold now and we are back to winning ways."

Meanwhile the Airwaves Ducatis were lying third and fourth, with Camier passing Rutter at Coppice on the sixth lap to move behind his teammate. Camier then was closing in on 'Shakey' and he attempted to take the inside line Coppice, but once marginally ahead Byrne managed to come right back to keep third place and his second podium of the day.

Race One Result
1. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.551
3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +8.819
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +11.981
5. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +18.970
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +19.482
7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +22.094
8. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +26.571
9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +33.816
10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +34.606

Race Two Result
1. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.541
3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.910
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.269
5. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +16.556
6. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +23.458
7. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +27.178
8. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +27.375
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +28.549
10. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +37.426

Point Standings
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 364
2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 254
3. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 249
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 236
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 205