WorldSBK Assen: Haslam set for early wildcard

Leon Haslam returns to WorldSBK earlier than planned after being called up by the TPR Pedercini Team for this weekend.

With Loris Cresson splitting with the satellite Kawasaki squad after just one round, Haslam will line up at the Assen TT Circuit, having initially been earmarked for his first of four wildcards at Misano.

Haslam will travel directly from Oulton Park after completing the scheduled BSB test, in preparation for his return to the World Superbike paddock as practice for the Dutch round kicks off on Friday morning.

“I have fond memories of Assen over the years and so when the opportunity arose to race with TPR Team Pedercini in one additional race it was easy to say yes,” Haslam confirmed on Thursday evening. “I have ridden with the team before and achieved a top five result in Qatar and I know how they work.

“It will be a tough ask coming straight into round two with no testing on the bike and the championship being so strong this year but knowing that we will also race together in four other races after this, I am confident that we can gain a lot of valuable information and have a positive weekend together.”

“It is an unexpected first wildcard appearance with us for Leon who will now compete in at least five races for us this season,” Team Principal Lucio Pedercini added. “We are sorry that we have not been able to continue with our original 2022 plan, but the show must go on and we are delighted to welcome Leon back to the team earlier than we had anticipated. We go into the weekend confident of achieving three solid results.”