Airwaves Ducati return to Oulton Park this
weekend for the second time this season as the eleventh round of the
Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at the 2.69-mile
Cheshire circuit. With riders Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Haslam triumphing in
6 of the last 7 rounds and turning the BSB series on its head last time out
at Cadwell Park, the Airwaves Ducati team will be in confident mood.
Gregorio took the Championship lead at Cadwell Park by virtue of his pair of
second positions, whilst Leon extended his recent good form by taking a
victory in the second race to go with a good points finish in race one. Both
riders performed well at Oulton Park earlier this season in round four of
the series, when Gregorio claimed a podium in race one and Leon took a
sensational victory in race two. With these results and their prior
experience of the circuit, both riders will be eager for further success
this weekend, as the Championship comes down to the wire.
Airwaves Ducati Team Manager, Colin Wright, is aware of the stakes but
insists the team will be fully focused: "The last three rounds this season
promise to be action-packed and exciting for all those watching them. We've
got to where we are this season through lots of hard work and we will be
looking to continue this weekend at Oulton Park. We're delighted with the
recent performances of Gregorio and Leon and will be aiming for a good set
of results this weekend to keep us in with a chance for the Championship".
Leon was looking forward to racing at Oulton Park: "I like Oulton Park as a
circuit and proved that with a race win here earlier in the season. I was
quick in both races that weekend but was unfortunate with an incident on the
warm up lap in race one. The circuit should suit the Ducatis this weekend
and I feel very comfortable on the bike at the moment. Cadwell Park was a
good round for the team and proved that we are performing well at the right
time in the season. Although, the Championship is not a realistic option for
me, I know how important it is for the team and will still be pushing for
race wins from now until the end of the season".
Gregorio is looking forward to racing at Oulton Park again: "I'm not
concentrating on the situation in the Championship and there is certainly no
added pressure. It is of course good to be ahead but it is only 2 points so
makes no difference to when I was third. It will be like starting again from
zero in these last three races and I know we will all be trying our hardest.
I'm ready to race in all conditions though I would prefer it to be dry if
possible as we have less experience of this bike in the wet. I did well in
the first race at Oulton earlier in the season and it is a good track so I'm
hopeful for this weekend".
Free Practice for the eleventh round of the BSB series begins at Oulton Park
on Friday 9th September, with the two Superbike races taking place on Sunday
11th September.
