The HM Plant Honda team will return to Bennetts British Superbike action for the second time of asking at Oulton Park this weekend. Cal Crutchlow sits in second-place in the series with team-mate Leon Haslam in fourth. Both Fireblade riders will want to be winning races to try and close the gap on runaway series leader Shane Byrne. Leon will want to score his maiden win this weekend, after netting four second places so far this year, while Cal – who has two wins to his credit – will also want to win and bag more points for HM Plant Honda.
Both riders are eager to get back in the saddle and take the fight to the so-far dominant Ducatis as the series enters its second-half of the season. For Steve Brogan it will be a difficult weekend as the rider from Liverpool is still recovering from breaking two metatarsal bones in his left foot in a crash at Mallory Park. After almost three weeks of rest, he’s hoping that he’ll be comfortable enough to defend his lead in the Metzeler Na tional Superstock 1000 championship and make ground on the leaders in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“We want wins now – no question. We know it’s going to be difficult as the Ducati is the package to beat, but we’re not giving up. Despite the break the team has been busy with the bikes and we hope to have made some improvements for Oulton this weekend. I really want to win this weekend, as it will kick-start the second-half of my season. Oulton is a fantastic circuit and one which I enjoy racing on, so it would be great to start a run of wins from here.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“After passing my test and riding on the road a fair bit, I’m eager to get back on a race bike instead of a road bike! I’m looking forward to our second trip to Oulton Park. At the first outing there we proved we were fast in wet or dry so whatever the weather we should be up there. With the season now half gone we need to get a double and that’s what we’re aiming for, but if we can’t beat Shakey I want to be the one right behind him. There are no mugs out there, I love racing these guys and there’s no shame in finishing second even if we all want to win.”
Steve Brogan – HM Plant Honda
British Supersport – Honda CBR600RR
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“Since Mallory I’ve been keeping myself occupied and the foot on ice! I’ve recently moved house, so I’ve been pottering about and doing a bit of gardening. That sounds like I’m a retired old man and I feel like one, as that’s all I’ve been able to do! To be fair I’ve done a little swimming and cycling as Toby Branfoot – BSB’s medical delegate – said there’s no reason why I can’t do that. The swelling has gone down and I have some movement but I’ve not pushed it, as I can’t put my full weight on it yet and I want to be as comfortable as I can be come Friday when I get on the bike. That’s when I’ll know what shape I’m in for the weekend, really. I don’t think it will be easy to ride as I’m still in a bit of pain, but I will give it my best shot. I may play it clever and limit my amount of laps in practice and qualifying, but we shall see how I feel tomorrow.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda Team Manager
“Once again we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the weather this weekend but it does look good for race day. Despite the break, the team has been busy catching up with things in a few areas, especially with things we tested at Mallory Park. We should have an evolution of that for Oulton Park. Both Cal and Leon said that the CBR1000RR’s corner entry was more stable at Mallory and that’s what we want to build on. We’re still developing these new bikes and will continue to do so even when we are regularly winning races with them. With Steve we’re hoping that the break has helped him recover. This weekend is going to be tough for him, but we hope he can keep out of trouble and get as many points in both championships as possible.”
