AIRWAVES DUCATI BATTLE FOR REWARDS AT KNOCKHILL IN BRITISH SUPERBIKES
26 June 2005 - GSE Racing

Airwaves Ducati riders Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Haslam finished the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike series with mixed rewards here today.

Following two 30-lap races at the Knockhill circuit, Fife, the Spaniard took a podium in race two having finished sixth in the first race, whilst his young English team-mate claimed a pair of fifth positions.

The opening race on a sunny day saw both riders make steady starts and they immediately looked quick, with early surges through the field to third and fourth positions. Leon held off his team-mate for a number of laps in mid race but eventually Gregorio managed to pass at the hairpin on lap 19. In the final laps, the Spaniard made a brave attempt to hold his 3rd position but was unfortunate to lose out to Laverty and Richards, with Leon pushing Gregorio down to sixth place on the final lap.

In race two, a blistering start from Leon saw him claim third position and he was able to run consistently for the first two-thirds of the race. Gregorio made another steady start and reeled off Rea, Richards, Thomas and Laverty in another captivating charge, taking up position behind his team-mate once again. Having closed on the 22-year-old for a number of laps, the Spaniard eventually passed him at the hairpin and rode away to claim third. Haslam settled for fifth following a late scrap with Laverty.

Airwaves Ducati Team Manager, Colin Wright, was pleased with the rewards from the weekend: “Without claiming any sensational results, we’ve quietly gone about our business and secured another good collection of points. Naturally, we would have preferred to be challenging the guys at the front but both Greg and Leon feel pretty comfortable on the bike now so that bodes well for the further battles to come. Both riders gave their all today and perhaps deserved a little better”.

Gregorio was pleased with his podium: “In race one, I struggled with an injury to my arm from the accident I had at Brands earlier this season. It really affected me towards the end of the race, so I wasn’t able to push any harder. It felt a lot better in race two and I was pleased to get back on the podium. There was no problem with the bike, it felt pretty good throughout so I’m looking forward to Snetterton. The last few circuits will be better for me so hopefully I can challenge for more victories”.

Leon was disappointed with his rewards from a day that promised a lot more: “In race one, I had a couple of issues with changing gears, especially the higher ones and then in race two, I had some kind of mechanical glitch with the revs. I was fighting constantly and eventually couldn’t quite hold on for a podium. Its pretty annoying but I gave my all today”.

The eighth round of the British Superbike Championships takes place at Snetterton in Norfolk on 8th – 10th July.

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