Leon Haslam

Read about Leon Haslam, including career highlights, pictures and news of the road racer right here at Motorcycle USA.

This English born racer is the son of the legendary Ron Haslam, so you know speed is definitely in his DNA. His racing career started at a young age when he won the 1995-96 National Youth Motocross championships. He advanced to road course racing in the following years and by 2000 was competing in the 125 world championship. Somehow he managed to finagle his way onto a 500cc Grand Prix machine the following year where he became the youngest rider to turn a wheel in anger in GP history.

Then reality set in and Leon returned to the national scene, signing on to compete in the British Supersport and Superbike series which led to him signing on to race alongside Noriyuki Haga on the Airwaves Ducati in 2004. He finished eighth that season and gained valuable exposure on one of the top teams in the championship that year. As a wildcard rider in the BSB series, he won a deluged race at Brands Hatch and started his legacy in British Superbike.

From 2005 to 2008 Haslam raced full time in the British Superbike series. He finished fourth his first year and then came into his own during the ’06 season. He finished in the runner-up position eight times, won at Croft and the season finale at Brands Hatch, but came up second in the final points. A rough year followed, but 2008 saw an aggressive Haslam leave the Airwaves Ducati squad for HM Plant Honda.

In what was ultimately a disappointing season he still managed to finish second in the British Superbike championship behind fellow countryman, Shane Byrne. At this point the charismatic kid had developed legions of fans in his home country and had established himself as a contender in BSB. His two wildcard efforts helped show his potential for success on the world stage too with wild card rides in World Superbike. At Donington he was racing with the lead pack until he was taken out by another rider in the closing stages of the race. Then, later that year at Portugal he finished third in the second race only to have the race organizers fly a German flag behind him during the podium ceremony.

At long last, Haslam had earned the opportunity to prove himself in World Superbike once again as a full-time rider. Racing for Stiggy Honda, he had a series of podium finishes to start off the season but faded a bit towards the end. Five DNFs hurt his position in the championship but he still managed to finish sixth overall. His reward was getting picked up by the powerhouse Suzuki Alstare squad for the 2010 season.

The following year witnessed Haslam take his highest finish in his WSBK career. With three race wins and 11 podiums, Haslam was Max Biaggi's main rival throughout the 2010 season as he finished in the runner-up position. In 2011 Haslam switched to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport garage piloting the S1000RR machine. In his first season with the German marque Haslam experienced little success after only recording three podiums during the 26-race season.

For 2012 Haslam will continue to contest the WSB series with BMW and his new teammate, Marco Melandri.