BYRNE VS HASLAM
BSB’s best set to re-ignite battle for supremacy as 2017 season kicks off at Donington Park this weekend
91 Leon Haslam JG Speedfit Kawasaki
He’s raced in every class from 125GPs, to 500GPs and WSB and after last year’s return to MCE British Superbikes, Leon Haslam is perfectly placed to become champion. “We did everything we could have done last year,” explains Haslam. “It was always going to be a tall order for the team with a new ZX-10R and me back in a championship I’d not ridden in for eight years. “In the grand scheme of things, we won as many races as Shakey and scored more points than him so it didn’t go too badly! I don’t regret or wouldn’t change anything we did last year but at the same time we can learn from that and hopefully put a better year together.” Haslam faces significant change ahead of the 2017 season as he switches to the Bournemouth Kawasaki team with the same JG Speedfit title sponsor after the withdrawal of the GBmoto squad. However, after a strong pre-season testing building on the work he’d done last year, he’s feeling confident ahead of the season ahead with full support from Kawasaki UK. “We’re in a much better position heading into the season than we were this time last year,” Haslam says with confidence. “I’m in the best position I’ve ever been in to win a title, with this package and team we’ve created there’s no reason we shouldn’t win if I do my job – so there are no excuses!” And while competition looks set to be tough in BSB this year, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki man can’t see a bigger rival than his 2016 adversary. “Shakey is clearly the biggest threat,” he says. “But we know the calibre of the other riders too. Giugliano and Guintoli will be strong, so will Josh and of course there’s all the others who were quick last year too, O’Halloran, Iddon, Ellison – they’re all capable! It’s going to be more important than ever to put it together weekend in weekend out.”
67 Shane Byrne Be Wiser Ducati
Reigning champ Byrne has spent the last few years shattering BSB records, one accolade he’s not managed to achieve though, is to win back-to-back British titles. “I don’t think there’s a particular reason I haven’t won back-to-back titles,” says Byrne, who notched up his five BSB titles in 2003, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2016. “It’s definitely not through a lack of trying, I can promise you! I’ve either done a different series the year after or been beaten byvery good riders like Alex Lowes and Josh Brookes – when I came a close second!” While he’s confident as ever heading into another season as champion, Byrne knows defending his crown won’t be easy with the calibre of riders joining Haslam snapping at his heels. “I sometimes don’t think the level of our championship is fully appreciated,” he explains. “To race at the front of BSB, you’re riding a superbike and you’re riding it f***ing fast! Having Sylvain, Giugliano and even Leon, who won his last WSB race in 2015, come across and do the job they do just shows how strong our series is. “There is potential for a few guys to be fighting for the championship, the showdown could be much closer this year so it’s going to be important to do a good job over the course of the season. Leon will of course be stronger, so we need to up our game and go with him.” However, after limited pre-season testing, Byrne knows he’s not in as strong a position as he could have been heading into the first round. “If you asked me how ready I am for round one, I’m not going to lie!” he said with an element of concern. “We’ve had one test in January with the bike exactly as it was last year. And, due to the fact that our parts are coming from the WSB guys and they’ve been in Thailand and Australia, we weren’t able to test in March ahead of the first round. “Sure, that’s a concern as I haven’t ridden a bike in two months!”
‘To race at the front of BSB, you’re riding a superbike and you’re riding