BSB: Battered Haslam vows to come out fighting

Leon Haslam has vowed to keep on fighting despite a disastrous opening race day at the MCE British Superbike Championship series finale.

A snapped handlebar had already left the title fighter 17^th on the grid after he was left with no choice but to jump off his bike in qualifying, but further drama would strike for Haslam in the weekend’s opening race.

Despite showing strong pace in the first two starts of a race that was red flagged twice, first due to an incident and then due to weather, Haslam would go on to crash out at Graham Hill on the opening lap of the third and final restart.

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Battered and bruised, Haslam was uninjured in the incident and has insisted the fight isn’t over despite sitting 27 points behind Byrne ahead of tomorrow’s final two races.

“On the restart it was tricky and I had a few moments so I eased off a little, but then it obviously wasn’t enough as it just threw me off and slapped me down pretty hard,” he said. “I just feel a bit sore and stiff now so I have got some ice on it and I am going to be ready for tomorrow.

“For me the situation is the same as it was today; I have to win both races tomorrow and I have to hope that some of the other guys get between me and Shakey. But we saw today that anything can happen so I certainly haven’t given up on the title yet.” 

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