Airwaves beaten but defiant.

Airwaves Ducati riders Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla may not have finished the final pre-season test on top, but both riders are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2007 BSB season at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.

Having tested in France and Spain over the winter the pair used last weekend's Snetterton test to re-acclimatise to the colder, wetter UK weather. However, the weather was a little too extreme on Friday and Saturday, with only a handful of laps possible.

Gregorio Lavilla (ESP), Airwaves Ducati, 999F07, 36, Superbike
Gregorio Lavilla (ESP), Airwaves Ducati, 999F07, 36, Superbike
© Graeme Brown

Airwaves Ducati riders Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla may not have finished the final pre-season test on top, but both riders are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2007 BSB season at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.

Having tested in France and Spain over the winter the pair used last weekend's Snetterton test to re-acclimatise to the colder, wetter UK weather. However, the weather was a little too extreme on Friday and Saturday, with only a handful of laps possible.

But Sunday's final day dawned bright with an average temperature of 15 degrees, allowing plenty of track time for the 2007 contenders. Fastest of all was new HM Plant Honda rider Jonny Rea, with Haslam 0.8secs slower in second - but ahead of Rea's team-mate and reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.

"Everything has gone really well and I am really happy," said 2006 title runner-up Leon. "I have been consistently fast all day which I am pleased with. The bike is feeling good and we know the few things that we have to work on before we get to Brands Hatch in a couple of weeks. I just can't wait to get there now and get started!"

Lavilla set the fifth best test time, just over 0.3secs behind Haslam, but is also sure he'll be up front at Brands.

"I had two hours out on track today and I am pleased that we had that as the weather has not been too good this weekend," said the Spaniard. "I have had a few minor problems which have meant I have been out on my number two bike, but that has been working well and I am happy. I am looking forward to going to Brands Hatch and starting the season and I am glad that we have had the opportunity to iron out those few problems. Now I am sure the season will get off to a good start."

"The Airwaves Ducati team have worked extremely hard during the winter months and I am pleased that we have reached our target at the conclusion of testing," added team manager Colin Wright. "The European weather had been really kind to us and it was a shock to everyone's' system to come back to sunny England but it has helped us acclimatise to what will possibly be similar weather at Brands Hatch. We are looking forward to the season ahead and hope to start at the top."

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