BSB: Haslam in control as Assen double boosts title chance

One by one, the championship challengers have fallen away for whatever reason. Now, it is only a two horse race and even that is mathematical. Leon Haslam stormed to a double win at Assen in the British Superbikes championship, now with a healthy 61 point lead at the top of the standings ahead of fellow Kawasaki rider Jake Dixon.

Haslam looked imperious right from the outset of the weekend, working on race pace and doing just enough to maintain his rivals’ attention through until Sunday. Then, he pounced, holding off Jake Dixon in race one and Josh Brookes in race two – putting him on a staggering 14 wins for the season. Dixon retired out of the 2nd race, meaning Haslam just has beat Dixon in race one and the title will be his at Brands Hatch.

“I’m over the moon with the wins in both races. It was two really good battles. We planned a lot over the weekend with the tyres and set-up. I can’t thank the JG Speedfit team enough for all the effort and hard work they have put in all year.

“To have 14 race wins this season has been great and I will be riding hard at Brands to try and wrap up the championship as soon as I can.

“It’s been a really good season so far, I’ve never won at Brands and that is something I would like to achieve before leaving the series next year. I am looking forward to getting there and seeing what happens!”.

Haslam led the championship by 32 points coming into the BSB Finale last season but never became champion, meaning that it would take something pretty spectacular to go wrong for him to lose it this weekend. Jake Dixon must realistically win and hope that other riders pack out places and push Haslam further back.