Leon Haslam returns to BSB with JG Speedfit Kawasaki
Haslam keen to ride the new ZX-10R and challenge at the front from the start of the season
LEON Haslam will make his return to the British Superbike Championship next year on board the new Kawasaki ZX-10R, riding for the Kawasaki-backed JG Speedfit team.
Haslam hasn’t raced in British Superbikes since 2008, and but it’s a series he’s had a lot of success in.
2016 will be JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s third season with Kawasaki UK. The 2015 season saw its riders James Ellison and Peter Hickman claim a plethora of podium finishes and race wins. By adding Leon Haslam to the team, JG Speedfit says it’s forming a trio of riders that it hopes will be a formula for success in 2016.
Leon Haslam said of the move: ‘I’m super excited to be coming back to BSB! It’s one of the most competitive series in the world and has a huge fan base and following, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and racing in front of the British crowd.’
JG Speedfit team boss Mark Smith-Halvorsen said:
'Everyone in the team is excited to be welcoming Leon for 2016. He has proven to be one of the most successful riders within Superbike racing and we know that he won’t be returning to make up the numbers!
'Although behind the scenes the signing has been a very quick deal, we’re already in the process of building a third ZX-10R Superbike which Leon will get to experience when he joins James and Peter next month. With a combination of the new Kawasaki and three of the strongest riders on the grid, I truly believe we have the right package to win our debut MCE British Superbike Championship title. It’s up to us now, to turn that into a reality.'
Haslam has raced in World Superbikes since 2009, when he rode for Stiggy Honda before riding for Alstare Suzuki in 2010, finishing second in the championship behind Max Biaggi. He then rode for BMW, before signing to the Honda-backed Ten Kate team for two years in 2013. Haslam spent the 2015 season on an Aprilia and finished the season in fourth after some consistent results that included a couple of wins and several podium finishes.
