World Superbikes, Valencia: Haslam Leads Brit Charge

With a strong ride into fifth place in the first race at Valencia, Leon Haslam continues to reign as top Brit in this year’s World Superbike championship.

Noriyuki Haga leads the points table after five races with 110 points to the 75 of Ben Spies. Max Neukirchner holds third place on 56 points on the Alstare Suzuki, but then comes the 25-year-old Haslam – top Brit, top Honda rider and top privateer – in fifth place on 47 points.

He leads four other riders who are battling to pass him in the points chase – Max Biaggi (Aprilia) on 46, Michele Fabrizio (Ducati) on 44, Regis Laconi (Ducati) on 43, and fellow-Brit Tom Sykes (Yamaha) in eighth place on 41.

“On the last two laps I had to shake the bike frokm side to side on the straights because it feels like it’s running out of fuel,” Haslam said. “We’ve got plenty, but the pump’s not getting it through when the bike’s upright. We had to start the race with the tank full to the brim.”

“At the end of a race I feel I’ve still got the pace to run higher up, but I’ve just got to start further up the field.”