The JG Speedfit Kawasaki team ensured a flying start for tomorrow’s opening MCE British Superbike Championship race at Cadwell Park, as Leon Haslam claimed his third pole of the season after setting the fastest ever lap of the Lincolnshire circuit. James Ellison was able to secure eighth place on the grid whilst Peter Hickman will start from tenth.  

Having enjoyed a successful test at the Cadwell Park circuit last week, the JG Speedfit team were confident of a strong showing this weekend. Chipping away with every practice, the trio finished with Leon second on combined times, James eighth and Peter eleventh.

With the sun shining and temperatures increasing ahead of qualifying, the thousands of fans packing the banking were treated to a scintillating show. All three riders were able to move comfortably through the opening session, and two laps from Leon and James under the existing lap record saw them move through to the final session. Narrowly missing out on progressing through to the final session by just 0.069s, Peter will start tomorrow’s opening race from tenth.

With just a short eight minute sprint to fight for pole, both JG Speedfit Kawasaki riders came out the blocks fighting. Setting a stunning 1:25.923 lap on his third circulation, Leon claimed his third pole of the season in dominating fashion, finishing 0.236s ahead of Championship rival Byrne. Making some slight changes ahead of the session, James was unable to quite match his pace from Q2 and will start from eighth place on the grid – despite lapping under the lap record again.

Surprised to have set a sub 1m26s lap, Leon Haslam said

 “From the get-go we’ve been a little on the back foot this weekend – particularly compared to Shakey who has been fast straight out the box. The big crash yesterday certainly didn’t help us either! Today though the boys have been absolutely fantastic though and the bike has been mega. We’ve made some really good steps and I wasn’t expecting to be lapping with a sub 1m26! It’s brilliant to be back on pole, Cadwell isn’t the easiest place to pass so we’ve given ourselves a really strong chance for tomorrow!”

Setting his personal best lap of Cadwell Park, James Ellison is feeling confident ahead of tomorrow’s two races

“It’s been a great weekend, we’ve steadily progressed with every lap and I’ve been able to lap Cadwell Park faster than I ever have! The pace is unbelievable, and despite lapping under the record we’re still starting from eighth – we made a slight change ahead of Q3 but it just didn’t work quite how we wanted and although I was able to match my time from Q2 I couldn’t take the next step the rest of the guys did. Our race pace is strong though and I know with a good start tomorrow we can have a couple of great races and get our Showdown position back on track!”

Disappointed not to progress through to the final session Peter Hickman added

 “It’s been a tough weekend actually, I just can’t seem to get the lap time I want. It’s taken until qualifying to actually lap faster than I did in testing here last week but I was able to set my personal best around Cadwell Park but the pace is so fast it just wasn’t enough to get through to Q3. The bike is feeling good though and we’ve got some things to try – I’ve always been more of a racer than a qualifier though so I think we can still have two good races tomorrow.”

GBmoto Racing Team Manager Terry Rymer concluded, 

“The guys put a lot of hard work into the test last week and it’s definitely paid off so far. It meant we could hit the ground running from first practice and we’ve seen with every session the guys are just going faster and faster. The whole team is working really well and for Leon to get pole, by setting the fastest ever lap around Cadwell, is a massive boost for everyone. James and Pete have been brilliant as well, our race pace is strong so I’m very excited to see what tomorrow will bring!”