WorldSBK and BSB both on the table for Leon Haslam
Leon Haslam could be set to remain in WorldSBK with Pedercini Kawasaki despite having two BSB offers on the table.
Following the 2021 WorldSBK season finale in Mandalika, Haslam looked set for a return to BSB after bringing two difficult years with Honda to an end.
Haslam, who was without a podium in both seasons with Team HRC, has been replaced by former Moto2 rider Xavi Vierge.
With just two seats on the 2022 grid left to be confirmed, Pedercini Kawasaki have been in contact with the British rider, as is the case with 2013 champion Tom Sykes, however, with the latter now considered unlikely to join the Italian team, Haslam is the favourite to join Belgian rider Loris Cresson.
Should Haslam join Pedercini Kawasaki, then it’s a move that will likely see him contesting for lower points scoring positions at best, as opposed to the offers he currently has in BSB.
"I have two options in BSB, nothing is fixed," Haslam told Speedweek.com. “I already tested a Kawasaki in BSB configuration at Christmas."
Although Haslam didn’t confirm which teams have made offers, Visiontrack Ducati and Buildbase Suzuki are two of the top teams with line-ups that remain unconfirmed.
Two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes is set to remain at Visiontrack Ducati after confirming the news himself, while Danny Kent looks likely to retain his ride at Buildbase Suzuki especially since Gino Rea won’t be returning - signed with TSR Honda in EWC (Endurance World Championship).
Christian Iddon is another rider who’s in contention for the above-mentioned BSB rides, more specifically the Suzuki one at that, meaning Haslam, Sykes and Iddon could be competing for just two seats (one at both teams). Therefore a lot will depend on which series-and-or-team Haslam decides to go with as he’s the rider with options in both championships.
Along with Kawasaki, the manufacturer with whom he’s raced the most seasons with, Haslam has also competed for Ducati (WorldSBK/BSB) and Suzuki (WorldSBK) and taken wins with both.
