BSB: Leon Haslam returns with Lee Hardy Racing

The 2018 British Superbike Champion is back racing in Britain after a three year escape to the world stage.

After two years with Honda and one year with Kawasaki the ‘Pocket Rocket’ has announced his return to British soil.

Haslam will link up with Lee Hardy Racing and will ride for Kawasaki once again, like he did in 2018.

Can Haslam show the BSB riders that he still has what it takes to be BSB Champion.

Haslam said: “I’m super excited to be back in the British Championship and also to be back with Kawasaki, especially with the link to my Kawasaki-backed Affinity Sports Academy team. It’s been a tough few years racing in the world championship, so it’s going to be great back in front of my home crowd once again!

“I am really confident in the team that Lee Hardy and everyone has put together for the season and the support that we have for this year. I don’t think I will have it as easy as I did in 2018, but at the same time I am looking forward to the challenge and I am really confident that we can get Kawasaki back to winning ways in the British Championship.”

Lee Hardy, Team Principal commented: “Following on from last year’s blockbuster BSB season I am delighted to announce the return of Leon Haslam to the series, joining Lee Hardy Racing. I am very excited to have signed an agreement with Leon as he has proven what an asset he can be to a team, and we look forward to building a strong partnership together. 

“We have both had amazing success with the Kawasaki brand. Leon last won the championship in 2018 with Kawasaki, and in that same year the Lee Hardy Racing team finished second to him, also on Kawasaki machinery. We both have forged a great alliance with Kawasaki and I see this as an incredible opportunity to fight for the championship again.”

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK concluded: “It was great being part of Leon’s success in 2018 and we as Kawasaki UK are excited to see him back in the Championship this year to hopefully challenge at the front of the field again.

“It’s a tough Championship and after some time away in World Superbikes it will take some time to settle back in, but I’m sure the combination of both Leon’s and the team’s experience will put them in a great position right off the bat at round one.”

Image: Impact Images