WSB: Haslam to make WSB return in Qatar

Leon Haslam will return to the World Superbike grid next weekend as he joins the Pedercini Kawasaki team for the final round in Qatar.

Backed by his BSB sponsor JG Speedfit, Haslam will return to battle with old foes Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes and Chaz Davies at a track he won at with Aprilia just 12 months ago.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to the world stage,” he told MCN. “It’s a no pressure ride and the good thing is I’m returning to a track where I won last year. After riding the Kawasaki for a year in BSB without electronics, it will be good to try the bike with the full Magnetti Marelli system as it gives me a good indication of where the bike is at and how we can maybe develop the BSB machine if I’m going to stay with Kawasaki next year.

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“Obviously I’m not riding the full factory bike so I think it’d be a long shot to say I’m going to go and fight at the front, but we need to work out where that bike is before we can set ourselves any goals. Their riders usually finish around 10^th to 12^th to I guess the first aim is to look at improving that.” 

Following this wildcard appearance, Haslam will then fly to Suzuka to take part in the final round of the Japanese Championships. These two extra appearances on Kawasaki machinery would go a long way to suggest the 2016 BSB runner-up has already done a deal with the Japanese marque for 2017. 

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