Haslam keen to cut Lavilla's lead

Leon Haslam is out to slash team-mate Gregorio Lavilla’s British Superbike Championship lead by claiming his first win of the season at Mondello Park this weekend.

Haslam lies second in the standings, 61 points adrift of Airwaves Ducati colleague and reigning champion Lavilla, and is yet to win this season despite several promising showings.

He has scored six podium finishes in eight attempts but Lavilla’s four consecutive wins heading to Mondello have thwarted Haslam’s dreams of victory.

With the fastest bike on the grid, both Airwaves Ducati riders can expect to be fighting at the front at Mondello Park and Haslam aims to beat Lavilla for just the second time this season.

He said: “My priority is to strengthen my position in the championship and hopefully get that elusive win.

“I am feeling confident for Mondello as Gregorio and I achieved our first one-two of the season here last year.”

Qualifying is the one area where Haslam has been equal to Lavilla this season, with two pole positions apiece, but the Spaniard hopes to seize the upper hand in that battle too.

He said: “I am looking forward to Mondello and I hope that the racing is as good as it has been in the last few rounds.

“I have had some really good results so far but I was made to work very hard by the Hondas at Oulton Park.

“I am aiming to go to Mondello Park, do well in qualifying and hopefully get more podium finishes for the team.”