Airwaves Ducati achieved their first one-two of the season, and their 11th since joining the GSE Racing team today. In a thrilling first race, both Airwaves Ducati riders held the lead for a time before Gregorio Lavilla took 1st place from his team mate. Leon repeated his 2nd position finish in race two, with Greg finishing a hard fought 4th place. Although the grey skies threatened it remained dry for the first of the day’s two 17 lap races. Both Greg and Leon had good starts and were in 2nd and 3rd respectively at the end of lap 1. Greg then took the lead from Kiyonari at the end of lap 5, and the top three riders moved away from the rest of the field. In a well worked manoeuvre Leon overtook Kiyonari to move into 2nd, before taking the lead from his team mate 2 laps later. Greg then re-took the lead on the penultimate lap to take the chequered flag, with Leon close behind in 2nd.
Despite a small rain shower race two was also declared dry. Leon got another good start and was 2nd by the end of lap 1 however Greg had a difficult start and finished the first lap in 14th. At the front of the field Leon had taken the lead on lap 4 and held off the challenge from Kiyonari until lap 10. Whilst recording some of the fastest laps seen at this circuit all weekend, Greg had moved into 4th by lap 15. Despite closing a significant gap to Shane Byrne, Greg was unable to pass him and he finished the race in 4th position. Leon chased Kiyonari to the chequered flag eventually finishing in a comfortable 2nd place.
Having achieved his 5th race win of the season today, Greg now leads the championship by 29 points. After the second race he commented; “I was very pleased with the first race and the race win, but I am disappointed with the second race as a poor start lost me so many places. As I tried to pull away at the start my rear wheel was spinning, I think the track was still a little damp. This meant I was immediately disadvantaged and had to work hard to make my way up the field. My pace was very good and had there been another 2 laps I think I could have been on the podium.”
With his season back on track and a close 4th place in the championship, Leon Haslam was pleased with his performance today saying, “I am really happy, I have achieved two solid results and I am back on track. I am slightly disappointed not to have won race one but it was great for Airwaves Ducati to have achieved our first one-two of the season. In race two I was challenging Kiyo and maybe I should have pushed for the lead in the latter stages of the race but I was happy enough to take the second place and the championship points.”
“Another tough weekend for the Airwaves Team” said Colin Wright “Today was very satisfying for us, the weather played a part in making decisions difficult but our aim was to get Leon and Greg on the front row, put the error at Silverstone behind us and gain as many points as possible. Three out of three ain’t bad!
Results:
Race One:1) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati
2) Leon Haslam – Airwaves Ducati
3) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda
4) Jonathan Rea – HM Plant Honda
Race Two:1) Ryuichi Kiyonari – HM Plant Honda
2) Leon Haslam – Airwaves Ducati
3) Shane Byrne – Stobart Vent Axia
4) Gregorio Lavilla – Airwaves Ducati
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