Haslam hot in Almeria

Many tipster’s pre-season favourite for the 2006 BSB title, Leon Haslam, improved on his personal best on day one of his Airwaves Ducati teams third test at Almeria, Spain.

He beat his previous fastest by 0.8 seconds while defending champion and team-mate Gregorio Lavilla cut his best by 0.5 seconds.

After a successful first day the team decided not to test on the second day at Almeria as both bikes and riders would benefit more from the final test at Albacete.

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Haslam said: “I just want to be on that start line at Brands Hatch now. Preparations have gone really well and we are all in a confident mood. It’s now just about putting the finishing touches to the bike. I am personally feeling really happy with how pre-season testing has gone for me but I am especially looking forward to the next test as other riders will be there and will be a good comparison for the start of the season.”

Lavilla added “It’s great to ride some laps on a circuit that I know and be quicker than I was last year. I am more prepared this year and that is a good feeling to have and a good place to be. The bike is feeling very good now and everything is working well so I am just looking forward to a little more testing at Albacete where we will be able to confirm that.”

The Airwaves Ducati team are now ahead of schedule in preparation for the start of the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship starting at Brands Hatch on March 26.