BSB Exclusive: Haslam: 'Why I'm staying in Britain for 2017'

Leon Haslam has revealed he is set to race in the MCE British Superbike Championship again next season despite having offers on the table to return to the world stage.

The 2010 World Superbike runner-up does have options to go back and compete against old foes Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes next year, but says he isn’t interested unless he can be guaranteed competitive machinery. 

“If I could get an opportunity in Worlds that I thought I could show what I could do on that stage to get a good ride the year after to win on, I would take it,” Haslam told MCN at his Derbyshire home. “But in all honesty, there aren’t those sort of rides being offered and even if there was I wouldn’t be able to secure a better seat for the year after as everyone is signed on to two year deals.”

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“I’ve built a really strong relationship with Kawasaki through not just BSB but the testing I’ve done in Japan and racing at Suzuka. It’s probably the closest relationship I’ve had with a factory in a lot of years.

“I’ve not approached anyone in the UK but I have had a lot of interest from other teams and that’s exciting as no matter which way I go I can challenge. For me it’s not a decision to stay in BSB because there isn’t a decision to make. The only thing I can win on next year is here and we have to make the most of that.”

For the full, exclusive interview – see today’s MCN

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