Two second places at Portimao keep Alstare Suzuki man at the head of the 2010 title race
IN A THRILLING day's racing in the second round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship, from Portimao, British ace Leon Haslam notched up two second places, aboard his Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Haslam missed out on victory by just 0.2s in both 22-lap battles on his Alstare Team Suzuki; both races were won by Italian Max Biaggi on an Aprilia.
Haslam’s consistency – adding to his first and second place finishes in the Australian opening round four weeks ago – ensure the 26-year-old from Smalley, Derbys retains the lead of the World Championship.
Haslam, who qualified in fourth place to take the final place on the front row of the grid, did battle with Biaggi in both outings with the British rider leading for 12 laps in the opening race and five laps in the second.
“I suppose I have to be happy with two solid results but it was really frustrating racing against Biaggi and I’m disappointed not to win,” said Haslam. “In both races I just wanted to get in front and make the break but every time I tried I just didn’t have that little extra I needed from the rear tyre.
“But we knew that would be the case and it was always going to be a closely-fought day. Each time I hit the front Biaggi just came straight back at me down the long start and finish straight.
“Overall I’ll take the points and extend my lead in the Championship, it’s still an excellent start to the year for the Alstare Suzuki Team and myself.”
