by Russell Atkins
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Having switched across from Airwaves Ducati to reigning champions HM Plant Honda for the 2008 British Superbike campaign, Leon Haslam has vowed to aim for victory every time out this year – as he eyes a return to the world stage in 2009.
The 24-year-old has three times in a row finished comfortably inside the top four in the BSB riders' standings, but despite being a title contender every year since 2005 the crown has repeatedly eluded his grasp, never more painfully than in 2006 when he missed out only because the final race at
Brands Hatch was red-flagged before time and half points were awarded. This year, he asserts, it
must be his.
“It's a brand new challenge,” he enthused, speaking exclusively to
Crash.net Radio, “a brand new bike for Honda and obviously new tyre rules – there are a lot of changes out there, with everyone on new bikes. It's been a really long winter, so I just want to get testing now – it's that time of year and I can't wait!
“I've not actually been away officially with the team yet, but I know all the boys really well. My chief mechanic Chris Pike used to be my dad's mechanic, while my chassis mechanic Carl Meakin was my best friend at school and I kind of got him into racing, so as far as the team structure goes I think it's going to be awesome.
“Obviously I'm moving suspension from Ohlins to Showa, and everyone's running on the Pirellis this year. There are a lot of new changes and there will be a big learning curve for both me and the team, but hopefully we can make that learning curve a fast one and be ready for the first race.”
