The Airwaves Ducati team had a successful day at Mallory Park today achieving 4 podium finishes. There were two 2nd places for Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla continued his run of podium finishes in every race this season with a 3rd place in the first race and a win in the second.
In the first 28 lap race, Gregorio Lavilla had a poor start from pole position. The safety car was then brought onto the track after an accident at the start leaving Haslam 5th and Lavilla 6th after 4 laps. Following a number of incidents and some supreme overtaking manoeuvres by the Ducati 999F06’s Haslam was 3rd and Lavilla 4th at the end of lap 16. The Airwaves Ducati riders moved up to 2nd and 3rd after Rea crashed in front of Haslam. Leon narrowed the gap on the leader on the penultimate lap but the 1.935 second lead was too much to overcome resulting in Kiyonari 1st, Haslam 2nd and Lavilla 3rd.
Both Haslam and Lavilla had much better starts in race 2 moving into 2nd and 3rd place respectively. On lap 2 Lavilla overtook his team mate and began his pursuit of Kiyonari’s lead. With a new chicane added, lap records were there to be set and the fastest lap of 55.982 was recorded by Gregorio Lavilla on lap 4. The 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Champion soon moved into 1st place quickly followed into 2nd by Haslam. Having made a mistake and slipped back into 3rd place Haslam regained the 2nd podium spot on lap 25 to take the chequered flag behind Lavilla.
After a day of success for the team Gregorio Lavilla was clearly happy with his performance, “It was unbelievable; all the laps were so fast, I was pushing it to the limit on every lap because I knew that Leon and Kiyo were close. Leading races like this is difficult because when you are behind someone you have a reference point and you can watch how that person approaches corners and brakes, but today I was happy to be out in front even though it was hard. I was not happy this morning but the team worked so well between the 1st and 2nd race, we had talks with Dunlop and I got more grip in the second race. I am so pleased because I never thought I would win here at Mallory, it’s brilliant.”
Having got two 2nd places Leon Haslam achieved some valuable championship points this weekend. “I am really pleased with my two races today; I felt I rode really well. The first race was a hard ride and then in the second race I knew what I wanted to do and I was aiming to get another podium finish under my belt which I did, so I am really happy. It has been a good weekend for the team and we have got some good points so now we will focus on Snetterton where we will aim to do the same again.”
Colin Wright added “An incredible weekend for Airwaves Ducati! With Kiyo riding like his old self we didn’t think a one two was on the cards. Leon and Greg did a great job but I must add a big thank you to our engineers and technicians who worked wonders, we leave here very satisfied.
Round 7 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Snetterton on 18th June.
Related Linkswww.airwaves-ducati.co.uk
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