AIRWAVES DUCATI CLAIM VICTORY AND CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AT CADWELL PARK
29 August 2005 - GSE Racing

Airwaves Ducati rider Leon Haslam took victory in the second race of the tenth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park today.

His teammate Gregorio Lavilla claimed a pair of second places and overtook his two rivals to take the lead in the Championship. Leon also secured a creditable points finish in the first race, unlucky to drop from first to sixth on the final lap, after he had lead for the majority of the race. A last lap racing clash with his teammate as they both fought valiantly for victory was the only dampener on a fantastic day for the Airwaves Ducati team.

The first 18-lapper was a dramatic affair and was run under the safety car for the first 3 laps following a first corner smash involving a number of riders. When racing resumed, Gregorio lay in fourth but wasted no time picking off Richards and Hill on consecutive laps to join his teammate at the front of the field. Gregorio chased Leon for the rest of the race before passing him at Park on the penultimate lap. At the same corner on the final lap, both riders fought bravely for track position and ran onto the grass. Both were able to rejoin but lost positions, Gregorio taking second and Leon unfortunate to claim sixth in a race that had promised so much.

In race two, Leon and Gregorio were quick off the line to lie first and fourth. Gregorio set a number of blistering laps in the early stages and had soon passed his rivals and was pressurising his teammate once again. Although he pushed all the way to the end, Gregorio was unable to find a way through, and eventually followed Leon home for a memorable Airwaves-Ducati one-two.

Airwaves Ducati Team Manager, Colin Wright, was generally pleased with the rider’s efforts: “It’s been a nerve wracking day and it’s always tricky watching when both your riders are challenging each other for the victory. The incident in the first race was not good for the team as we could have had a one two. However, it shows their character as they came back strong in the second race to take our third one-two of the season and the Championship lead is excellent reward for a tough weekend”.

Leon was delighted with his victory: “The victory in the second race certainly made up for the incident in the first race. I’m out there to win races and it was a racing incident pure and simple. It’s obviously annoying that it was my teammate and I always want the best for the team but we certainly made up for it in the second race. In race two, it was difficult to lead from the front but I knew my pace was good and it was just a case of keeping my concentration. I can’t wait to get racing again and I won at Oulton Park early this season so that should be another good round for me in 2 week’s time”.

Gregorio was delighted to lead the Championship: “I’m pleased to be in the lead and certainly didn’t expect it coming to Cadwell Park. It’s been a tough weekend and I’m pleased with the results. In the second race I was pushing Leon all the way but it would have been too risky to attempt to pass him, especially with what happened in race one. I didn’t know Michael had fallen until I got back to the pits, it certainly makes the last 3 races interesting. As for race one, I think we both tried to outbrake each other and it was frustrating but at least I didn’t lose too many positions”.

The eleventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Oulton Park on the 9th – 11th September.

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