#leonhaslam

Leon Haslam, British Superbike Champion 2018.

British Superbikes, Cadwell Park 2018.

Cadwell Park 2018. 

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KRT Launches Official WorldSBK Team In Australia

Kawasaki unveiled its official 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship machinery and graphics at the team launch today, shortly before the opening round at Phillip Island takes place between the 22nd and the 24th of February. Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ effort will once again field record-breaking four-time champion Jonathan Rea aboard the latest race specification Ninja ZX-10RR, Joining him is new signing for the new season, Leon Haslam.

The new season livery and sponsor line-up was confirmed as the covers came off the Ninja ZX-10RR, with Motocard, Elf Total, Monster Energy and Showa logos prominently displayed, alongside other valued commercial and technical partners.

Having won four straight championships for rider Jonathan Rea, Manufacturer Kawasaki and team Provec Racing, the overall Kawasaki heavy Industries WorldSBK effort is determined to meet the challenge of maintaining its high standards.

In launching its final line-up and image in Australia this year, rather than at their home base in Barcelona as in previous seasons, KRT has already put a fresh spin on its approach as the excitement builds towards another new season at the highest level of production-derived racing.

Mr Shigemi Tanaka, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Australia, led the speakers on the night as the latest product of KHI’s passion for racing was unveiled to a waiting world, both on site and to the world through live streaming via the Internet.

With winter testing ended in Europe at the end of January, there will now be two days of official tests for all WorldSBK competitors, at Phillip Island between Monday the 18th and Tuesday the 19th of February. With a new format to race weekend in 2019, featuring three WorldSBK races and not two, the first round of the new season will be truly historic even before it wraps up on Sunday the 24th of February.

Jonathan Rea, champion for the past four seasons, stated: “KRT always push the boat out when it comes to launching the new colours and it is the first time you see your final bike in the flesh. Everything is real and now we turn the page to 2019. Alpinestars have done a great job with my leathers as well. I changed my number 1 plate a little bit too, incorporating some new logos. It is nice to do the launch here in Australia, and so close to the first race weekend.”

Leon Haslam, stated: “To be part of such a professional team, and to see the manufacturer itself and Kawasaki Australia putting on such a massive show, is fantastic. They are really getting behind it. I just want to get going now. The launch and all the things around it are exciting but now I just want to get on track to ride the new bike.”

Mr Shigemi Tanaka, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Australia, stated: “It is indeed an honour to have the unveiling of the 2019 Kawasaki Racing Team here at Phillip Island and for Kawasaki Motors Australia to be hosting this important event. Three times in the past it has been my pleasure to speak at these launch events on behalf of both Kawasaki Motors Europe and Kawasaki Heavy industries. Now with Jonathan Rea as a four-time world champion on the Ninja ZX-10RR it is a nice coincidence that this is now my fourth time to speak, this time on behalf of Kawasaki Motors Australia and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The theme today is Ganbarou – we will face our challenges and try harder. In 1995 a devastating earthquake hit Kobe, close to the Kawasaki manufacturing plant in Akashi. It was a difficult time but we said “Ganbarou” – we will face our challenges with a smile and we will rebuild we will try harder and do our best. For the Kawasaki Racing Team 2018 was one of our most difficult years so far. We were under huge pressure. The fans and media naturally expected more championship success, yet our Ninja ZX-10RR was a victim of its own success as new rules were adopted to help other teams reach the high level of Kawasaki. Our Ninja Spirit – and the dedication of the team, loyal fans and riders – saw us prevail with a fourth consecutive world title for Jonathan Rea plus another manufacturer and team title. This is the racing definition of Ganbarou – we will compete and, whatever the circumstances, we will try our best.”

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated : “Last year we faced the challenge of new technical rules that we feel constrained our performances. Nevertheless, we succeeded in winning the Riders’, Manufacturers’ and Teams’ world titles in a very successful year. For this year these rules are still maintained but we’re prepared. We have a bike with a new more capable engine and we have reinforced our technical and human assets to take advantage of this. We also welcome a new rider in Leon Haslam, who has been making big steps in the Winter Tests. We think makes a great pairing with Jonathan Rea, who has offered us so much in all terms. At KRT we think riders are the spearhead of our effort. All the team is geared towards bringing them the best weapons because, once the lights go out, it’s all in their hands. They are the magicians that make dreams possible. Together, we’ll do our best.”

Biel Roda, KRT’s Marketing and PR Director, stated: “The support of our main partners has been crucial. Showa now joins our main partners list along with Monster Energy, Elf and Motocard. Motocard has been supporting Provec Racing since the very first days, back in 2006. It is, one of the biggest online shops for motorcycling gear in Europe and they have always funded the sport. The same goes for Elf: you all know the large racing heritage of this lubricant brand, which has very strong commercial ties with Kawasaki and supply us with magnificent products to increase our performance since the very beginning of the KRT adventure in Superbike racing. Monster Energy joined us in 2015, you all know Monster, more than just an energy drink, it’s a lifestyle; thanks also for making us part of this cool attitude to racing.”

World Superbike

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Leon Haslam signs off with victory as Cooper becomes seventh winner of 2018

Leon Haslam signed off his title-winning 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship campaign with a victory on the final day of action at Brands Hatch, winning the second action-packed race of the weekend before Richard Cooper became the seventh different race winner of the year in the finale.

Haslam claimed 15 race wins on his way to lifting his first British title crown in a season where 15 different riders finished on the podium, representing all six manufacturers.

The opening race of the day saw the ‘Pocket Rocket’ claim his first Kawasaki victory on the Grand Prix circuit, holding off Tommy Bridewell and Jason O’Halloran after an incredible race-long dog fight for the win with the lead changing over 20 times!

At the start of the race Andrew Irwin launched into the lead ahead of O’Halloran and Haslam, as Danny Buchan crashed out unhurt on the opening lap.

The Honda Racing contender had fired into the lead at Stirlings and despite Haslam getting alongside he couldn’t make it stick. As the pack streamed across the line for the first time Haslam went for a move into Paddock Hill Bend on Andrew Irwin, pushing the Be Wiser Ducati back into second, but as they reached Druids for the first time he was back ahead.

On the third lap Andrew Irwin slid out of contention at Graham Hill Bend and at the front O’Halloran was coming under pressure from Haslam, who grabbed the lead into Paddock Hill Bend on lap five.

Meanwhile Bridewell and O’Halloran then traded blows for second, switching positions three times within as many corners.

By the sixth lap Bridewell was at the front; forcing his way ahead of Haslam with O’Halloran in third and Jake Dixon and a still injured Christian Iddon giving chase. Haslam made several attempts to make a move back ahead of the Moto Rapido Ducati, but he couldn’t make it stick until he made a slick move at Dingle Dell on lap eight.

Haslam was then trying to make a break but Bridewell and O’Halloran were desperately trying to get back to the front; the Australian moved into second with a move on the ninth lap before grabbing the lead at Druids. A lap later and it was Haslam back out in the lead of the race and on lap 11 the pair diced with the lead changing three times.

O’Halloran was then holding the advantage as James Ellison had joined the leading pack, but he later crashed the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha on the exit of Paddock Hill Bend. Meanwhile Dixon had gone for a big pass to take the lead but the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider crashed a lap later with a high-speed off at Clearways.

That put O’Halloran back in the lead, but on lap 16 Haslam made another move into Paddock Hill Bend to take the advantage, but as the pair hit Stirlings the Honda rider was back ahead. The JG Speedfit Kawasaki contender waited for another lap before he was back in charge, before he managed to edge a minor advantage to the chequered flag over the final three laps.

The battle was then between O’Halloran and Bridewell for the final podium places and the pair scrapped until the finish line with the Moto Rapido Ducati rider eventually getting the better of his Australian rival to score his best finish of the season.

Richard Cooper claimed his strongest result of the season in fourth as he overhauled Iddon with three laps to go with Peter Hickman completing the top six. Glenn Irwin, Bradley Ray and Josh Brookes held on to finish inside the top ten with Josh Elliot rewarding OMG Suzuki with tenth place in only his second round with the team in the Superbike class.

Then in the final race of the season Richard Cooper became the seventh and final race winner of the season, dominating the final race of the year, winning by 7.493s Cooper led the race from start to finish and controlled the race from the front to score Buildbase Suzuki their third victory of the season.

On the opening lap Cooper led O’Halloran, Haslam in a special edition livery and Bridewell. Haslam was fighting but he had some huge moments to save, including an incredible moment on the exit of Graham Hill Bend and Clearways, but despite dropping him to fifth, he regained his composure to fight back.

Haslam had Iddon ahead of him and after getting back into a rhythm he made a pass at Paddock Hill Bend on the ninth lap, followed by Dixon a few corners later. Cooper and Bridewell were heading the field but by lap ten Haslam was into third as he dived down the inside of O’Halloran.

Dixon was then hunting O’Halloran and he moved into fourth with a move at Graham Hill Bend, with Iddon also pushing the Australian back a further place. Haslam was gaining momentum but on lap 12 he was on the brink of disaster with a massive moment on the run to Graham Hill Bend, which he only just managed to save.

As Cooper held the position at the front Bridewell was still leading Dixon, Haslam and Iddon, but Josh Brookes was closing and he moved ahead of Haslam on the final lap to claim fifth. Gino Rea equalled his season best result to finish in seventh ahead of O’Halloran, Peter Hickman and team-mate Sylvain Barrier.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race two result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +2.027s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +3.287s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +8.784s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +11.976s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +22.473s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +32.279s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +43.454s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +44.435s

Josh Elliot (OMG Suzuki) +45.322s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race three result:

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki)

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +7.493s

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +12.112s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +19.009s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +19.602s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +20.937s

Gino Rea (OMG Suzuki) +24.906s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +38.703s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +52.282s

Sylvain Barrier (Smiths Racing BMW) +1:01.070s

2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 699

Jake Dixon RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 629

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 588

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 584

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 577

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 551

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 2018 Bennetts BSB champion “I’m just happy to have stopped on the bike in that last race, I had so many big moments! It’s been an awesome year, to finish every single race, 15 wins, such amazing battles with Jake [Dixon], with Glenn [Irwin], with Jason [O’Halloran], so many people in the mix on any given weekend, and that is BSB.

“We have had some great races and there are always good last-lap battles. For me it’s big thanks to the team.

“My second year with the same team has really shown credit, getting the most out of the bike, understanding the bike and just really, really enjoying it. Like I say, it’s a credit to them to get the results that we got.”

British Superbike

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