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SBK, Haslam: Suzuka? This time I want more than second place

The Kawasaki rider reveals: "Yamaha has great potential, but we have to show that we can adapt to any situation".

SBK: Haslam: Suzuka? This time I want more than second place

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Friday at Suzuka has served to highlight Leon Haslam's talents.  Once again, the Kawasaki rider proved to be the fastest of the ZX-10RR group, also comprising Watanabe and Kamaruzaman, thanks to a time of 2’07”398. He finished the day fourth, behind the Suzuki of Yoshimura and the Honda HARC-PRO, without forgetting Yamaha Factory.

Let's not jump to any conclusions though, as last year Haslam reached the second step of the podium after fighting hard throughout the race.

I'm pleased with the work completed so far – he commented – today wasn't easy, especially with the weather conditions. It was important not to take any risks and to work on our race pace, where we are quite competitive”.

The fourth fastest time is the base on which to build.

In qualifying it was important to be inside the top ten for Saturday's Top 10 Trial and we did that. We need to be ready to battle for the pole and adapt to the weather - he added - aware that Yamaha has great potential, but also Suzuki and Honda”.

Leon knows that the challenge is a tough one, but he's dreaming big.

Reaching the podium would be a significant result, though I'd really like to do more than I did in 2016. The team is feeling confident and in a race like Endurance you can never make hasty predictions”.   

Translated by Heather Watson
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