BSB: Haslam expecting Brookes threat at Assen

Leon Haslam has insisted the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike title isn’t a two-horse race despite the enormous points gap to third in the standings.

After a double victory last time out at Oulton Park, Jake Dixon sits 31-points behind Haslam with five races remaining, but Haslam maintains that Yamaha’s Josh Brookes could be the bigger threat over the next two rounds.

While it would be difficult for Brookes to win the title this year, the Aussie will be keen to end the year on a high and has a strong record at Assen as well as winning both races on the Brands GP circuit earlier this year.

“The Showdown closes everything up with the championship and that does make it difficult, but Assen is one of my favourite circuits and it’s not a track that Jake went well at last year,” Haslam told MCN.

“It’s not just me and Jake; I still believe Brookes will be the biggest threat at Assen and Brands, and while he’s a long way off points wise you can never rule him out.

“On paper we should go to Assen and extend our lead, but I’d have said that before here. Jake is on a good streak, he’s riding well so we’ll just have to see what happens.”