Haslam is super six-y for first title

LEON KING: Haslam LEON HASLAM clinched the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship crown after riding to a safe sixth place at Brands Hatch yesterday.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider claimed his first title as rival Jake Dixon was unable to score enough points to take the battle into today’s final race day.

“This is a massive weight off my shoulders, I’ve not many words – it wasn’t an easy race – but it was the longest race ever,” said the new champion.

“I wanted to push on but I didn’t want to make a mistake.

“I knew Jake wasn’t leading so I kind of settled but it was a long 20 laps.

“To roll around and finish sixth to get a title isn’t mine or the team’s style but we’ve had a fantastic season.

“Big thanks to everyone who has supported me this year.”

Dixon, who had qualified on pole, needed to win with Haslam finishing below third to take the fight to the final day of the season.

But he was powerless to stop Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin, who took the lead at the start and controlled the race from the front to take his first victory of the year.

Dixon had dropped back to third and found his way back up to second but couldn’t bridge the gap and had to settle for second in the race and in the championship.

“I’m a little bit disappointed, maybe if it wasn’t for the engine going at Assen the gap would’ve been smaller,” said the RAF Regular and Reserves rider.

“Leon’s won it, you can’t dwell on it. A massive congratulations to him, he’s done a mega job.”

Meanwhile, Eunan McGlinchey’s third place in the opening Dickies British Junior Supersport race was enough for him to be crowned champion.

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