Airwaves Ducati head to Donington Park
this weekend, ready for a dramatic double header in the twelfth and
penultimate round in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. With rider
Gregorio Lavilla trailing in the title race by a solitary point, the team
will be eager to claim race wins in preparation for the season finale. The
Spaniard's teammate, Leon Haslam, will also be looking for victories at his
'home' track.
Both riders have experience of the 2.5-mile Derbyshire circuit having
completed over 75 laps each during testing there in June. Gregorio has also
ridden the circuit in WSB and MotoGP races in the past and will be hopeful
of overhauling Kiyonari's one point lead in the Championship. The Spaniard
has now broken six lap records of the ten circuits visited so far, often
without any prior knowledge of the tracks, and it is this consistency that
has ignited the race for the Championship. Leon, meanwhile, will be boosted
by strong local support and will be looking to end the season with a
flourish.
Airwaves Ducati Team Manager, Colin Wright, commented: "We are very hopeful
for this weekend and will be looking to gain a clear advantage before the
final round of the season. Both riders have completed a good number of laps
during our test here in June and their times were excellent considering the
tough conditions. We are expecting some more dramatic racing this weekend
but both Gregorio and Leon are feeling very happy with the Airwaves Ducati
999F04 at the moment and will be confident of performing well".
Gregorio was looking forward to the weekend: "As I've said all along, I feel
no extra pressure and I feel comfortable on the bike at the moment. I like
Donington - I last raced here in World Superbikes and also tested here in
the summer break so I know the track and it is my kind of circuit. I'm happy
with my recent performances, I always thought I would get better and better
with more time on the Ducati. If everything goes well, I will be looking to
challenge for race wins and hopefully finish in front of Kiyonari. I will be
giving 100% and will be concentrating on challenging for race wins".
Leon is looking forward to racing at his home track: "As it's my local
circuit, I'm hoping for lots of extra support both for myself and the team
as we battle for the Championship. I'm really happy with the bike at the
moment and am concentrating on finishing the season with the best possible
results. Of course, I will be trying to help Gregorio out and realise the
situation in the Championship. Donington is a great circuit and I'm looking
forward to an exciting race weekend".
Free Practice for the twelfth round of the BSB series begins at Donington
Park on Friday 23rd September, with the two Superbike races taking place on
Sunday 25th September at 13h15 and 15h45.
