Haslam: I knew Dixon attack was coming

Leon Haslam saw off a fierce last-lap battle against Jake Dixon to secure a key double victory at Cadwell Park as he strengthened his grip on the Bennetts British Superbike championship title.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider’s double at the Lincolnshire circuit saw him book his place in the BSB Showdown, along with Dixon on the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki, and take a sizeable lead in terms of Podium Points with a 31-point advantage to nearest rival Dixon with just the Silverstone triple-header remaining.

Haslam dived up the inside of Dixon at Park corner on the penultimate lap but came under huge pressure as the youngster looked to return the favour at the same turn on the final lap. The former World Superbike star squeezed his rival on the inside forcing him off the brakes which made him run wide on to the grass – allowing Bradley Ray to sneak into second place.

“I knew the attack was coming,” Haslam said after race two. “It was one of them where I felt comfortable when I was behind him but when I was in front it was hard to know when to push.

“When you are in front you set yourself for a manoeuvre that way. I kind of thought I had timed it right but I got a really bad run on the last lap going on to the back straight and I knew he was going to have a go.

“I tried to squeeze him and go as late as I could and luckily it worked out in my favour. It was a really good battle so I am happy.”

Haslam’s double, his third pair of victories at Cadwell Park in his BSB career following triumphs in 2007 and 2016, sees him move on to nine career wins at the Lincolnshire circuit and maintains his record of winning at least one race in every BSB round he’s contested at the track.

The British rider says it is a circuit which suits his riding style and also the Kawasaki ZX-10RR’s strengths.

“It is quite an aggressive circuit, you have to be aggressive with the bike and you have to be quite accurate with where you need to be as it is such a narrow track,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed it, it was controlled aggression as they say and it seems to work out.”