Haslam back to WorldSBK in 2019!
Haslam will join Jonathan Rea at the Kawasaki Racing TeamLeon Haslam will be Tom Sykes’s replacement in Kawasaki’s factory world superbike team, returning to the production-based series full-time after a three-year exile. He will join fellow Briton – and defending three-time world champion – Jonathan Rea aboard the potent ZX-10RR.
Haslam, 35, is an experienced WorldSBK campaigner, with five race wins and 39 podiums to his credit ad a runner-up finish in 2010. He has spent the last three years in British superbike, and currently leads the 2018 championship on his JG Speedfit Kawasaki.
This weekend, Haslam will join Rea and Kazuma Watanabe in the Suzuka 8-Hour world endurance race as part of the official Team Green effort.
“I have to say a big thanks to Kawasaki for this opportunity,” said Haslam.
“Returning to the Superbike World Championship is something I’m really looking forward to. After scoring race wins, lap records, pole positions and a championship runner-up position in my seven years there it’s going to be great to get back to WorldSBK.
"The support of Kawasaki throughout my three years in the British Superbike Championship… has been really appreciated and I’m now hoping to repay them with the 2018 British Superbike title and then to challenge for next year’s WorldSBK title.
"The 2019 season will throw up some new challenges as the competitiveness between the manufacturers continues to be at the highest level but I’m confident that with the professional and successful team behind me we can enjoy plenty of success.”
Haslam's previous WorldSBK race wins have come on Suzuki (three) and Aprilia (two) machinery.
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