James Haydon’s return to the British Superbike paddock, sporting a lid instead of a microphone, didn’t go according to plan at Mallory Park with a crash and a top 15 the result of a weekend’s hard work.
But for all his misfortune, the Berkhampstead rider may well be back in the saddle for the Oulton Park round as Stuart Easton is unlikely to be fit in three weeks’ time.
“It was never going to be easy to make a return at a circuit like Mallory”, confessed Haydon. “I was happy to score a championship point in race two and grateful for all the help and support that the guys in the garage gave me. “The left part of Edwina’s is quite complex, but the exit leaning right has never caused me any concern. To have an off there is quite bizarre, so we will have to examine the data logging very closely to see if there are any clues."
Team owner Nick Morgan, who refuses to be drawn on whether Haydon will be back in the saddle, said: "“We’ve got some great coverage by having such an experienced and popular rider in the form of James Haydon on the bike; and Billy has pushed hard and with tenacity to finish in a fighting sixth place in race one. James is right, this is a bloody hard championship and, as well all know, it doesn’t take prisoners."