Haslam finds breakthrough with ‘most positive session’ this year

Leon Haslam says this week’s two-day WorldSBK test in Barcelona provided ‘the most positive session of the year’ aboard his Honda Fireblade.

Robert Jones

14 Aug 2021

Haslam finds breakthrough with ‘most positive session’ this year

Leon Haslam has found significant gains aboard his CBR1000RR-R during a two-day Official WorldSBK test in Catalunya.

The 2018 BSB champion has endured an up-and-down season so far in 2021, which is highlighted by his 13th place in the riders championship - last of all riders on a factory machine.

However, the Team HRC man ended the opening day of testing in Barcelona fastest with a 1:41.627s on Thursday, before improving by another four tenths on Friday.

While the finishing position on both days was encouraging for Haslam, it was the actual on-bike improvements that were the ‘most positive’ element of testing.

Haslam said: "This has been the most positive session of the year so far for me, both in terms of what we’ve tried and how we’ve improved, and also my feeling with the bike.

"The track temperature has been high, and we normally struggle in these conditions, so to have this constructive feedback this week leaves me feeling happy.

"Yesterday, we found some good pace and were the fastest on track, and we’ve done well again today, despite the hot conditions.

"The feeling with the chassis is better as we’ve had time to work on various mechanical parts, and we’ve taken a good step in terms of lap times."

Alvaro Bautista was also pleased with the improvements made after working on the frame, engine braking and geometry of the bike.

"A very constructive test. The track conditions were tough early on yesterday, slippery due to the dust, but this improved throughout the first day," said Bautista.

"Temperatures have been high too, but we’ve got through our work schedule and tried many interesting things, especially with the frame, geometries, and overall set-up.

"On day two we worked more on the engine, focusing on the engine brake and acceleration, and looking at different set-ups that can help us.

"I’m pleased because we’ve been able to provide feedback about the new elements we’ve tried here and now have more information as we move forward with development."