Pata Honda's Leon Haslam has been forced to withdraw from today's brace of World Superbike races at Donington Park as, after completing seven laps in morning warm-up, he feels that two 23-lap races would be too much.

The gritty Derbyshireman displayed huge courage yesterday to qualify in 13th place during Superpole but told bikesportnews that it was not only painful, but frustrating he couldn't put the bike where he needed it on the track.

"Leon has nothing left to prove. He has been incredibly brave and so wanted to race in front of his home crowd but the effort of 46 racing laps today would be too much. Obviously he is very upset to let everyone down, but this is the best course of action," said a team spokesman.