Sean Emmett has been replaced by James Haydon
Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
May 25 2005
Sean Emmett has been replaced by James Haydon for the next round of the British Superbike series, and it has not been announced if this is a permanent position or not, as Sean is having surgery on the elbow he badly damaged when he highsided at the first round, held at Brands Hatch.
© Raceline Photography
Sean is having the elbow pinned, as he has been suffering badly from the injury with infection, and not being able the use his arm through pain. There is a rumour that the replacement is permanent, as it has been said that Sean is not giving the series the level of determination and fitness that the team require, but this is just that - a rumour. When I last spoke to Sean, at Oulton Park, he was looking very fit, but was not happy with the outcome of his injury, which was giving him a lot of pain.
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At the official Superbike test, which was held at Croft this week, John Reynolds made his return to fitness, and was ahead on times - by eight places in front of his team-mate Scott Smart.
© Raceline Photography
Surprisingly enough, though, was that Ryuichi Kiyonari was not in attendance, which is somewhat unusual as he is normally the rider who does the most testing out of all the BSB stars. ‘The Kiyo Kid’ fell at Mondello Park, and is probably undergoing further treatment on the ankle he broke after his horrific crash at Mallory Park, so he can return to racing at the next round - which will be at the Croft Circuit. Kiyo’s foot was heavily strapped at Mondello, having fallen there, but was not showing any signs of problems regarding his ankle, although he was in some pain.
Leon Haslam was the top rider of the day, and is obviously full of confidence after his first win of the season at Oulton Park, and a great second place at Mondello. Especially as the Croft test day was a wet day, with very little dry track time. Leon is gaining more confidence as the series runs on.
Jonathan Rea, who astounded all at Mondello, was in a good second position in the first session of the day, and he will only get better - and his unfortunate fall at Mondello has obviously not damaged his confidence at all. Young gun Tommy Hill, now fully fit after his accident at Mallory Park - which ended up with him having surgery on a very bad gash on his right arm, is now back into the fray and will be going all out to gain some much needed points.
Dean Ellison, having split from the Jentin Racing team, has in fact put together his own privately owned FireBlade to race in the series, after reports stated that things were not right regarding tyre choices at a very wet Oulton Park. Jeremy McWilliams was not at the Croft test, and it is thought that he is resting his shoulder, which he injured when falling at Thruxton.
Michael Rutter was also running well, after his historic win at the North West 200, and Steve Plater was also in a better position in the second session. James Haydon, aboard the Virgin Mobile Yamaha, put in some excellent times and can only be commended as a rider to watch out for. How he has never been given a permanent place in the series is just unbelievable, as his dedication, fitness and ability are shining through.
Here are the times for the official test day at Croft.
First session:
1 Leon Haslam, GSE Racing Ducati, 1:32.462s
2 Jonathan Rea, Red Bull Honda, 1:33.408s
3 Michael Rutter, HM Plant Honda, 1:33.625s
4 John Reynolds, Rizla Suzuki, 1:34.201s
5 Tommy Hill, Virgin Yamaha, 1:34.441s
6 Karl Harris, Honda UK Racing 1:34.804s
7 Jon Kirkham, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:35.037s
8 Gary Mason, Stobart Honda, 1:35.395s
9 James Haydon, Virgin Yamaha, 1:35.851s
10 Nick Medd, ARCO Medd Racing Kawasaki, 1:36.614s
11 Gregorio Lavilla, GSE Racing Ducati, 1:36.708s
12 Scott Smart, Rizla Suzuki, 1:36.708s
13 Kieran Clarke, Hydrex Honda, 1:36.924s
14 John Laverty, Vitrans Ten Kate Honda, 1:37.656s
15 Ben Wilson, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:38.156s
16 Tristan Palmer, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:38.180s
17 Richard Wren, Virgin Yamaha, 1:39.748s
18 Steve Plater, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:42.995s
19 Marty Nutt, Nutttravel.com Racing Honda, 1:42.995s C*
20 Luke Quigley, Jentin Racing Yamaha, 1:43.618s
21 Michael Laverty, Stobart Honda, 1:44.745s
* Supercup privateer
Second session:
1 Leon Haslam, GSE Racing Ducati, 1:27.336s
2 Tommy Hill, Virgin Yamaha, 1:27.408s
3 Michael Rutter, HM Plant Honda, 1:27.444s
4 Karl Harris, Honda UK Racing 1:27.508s
5 James Haydon, Virgin Yamaha, 1:27.687s
6 Jonathan Rea, Red Bull Honda, 1:27.914s
7 Steve Plater, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:28.081s
8 Ben Wilson, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:29.075s
9 John Laverty, Vitrans Ten Kate Honda, 1:29.482s
10 Kieran Clarke, Hydrex Honda, 1:29.852s
11 Nick Medd, ARCO Medd Racing Kawasaki, 1:30.228s
12 Jon Kirkham, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:30.700s
13 Tristan Palmer, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:31.098s
14 John Reynolds, Rizla Suzuki, 1:31.433s
15 Scott Smart, Rizla Suzuki, 1:31.510s
16 Marty Nutt, Nutttravel.com Racing Honda, 1:31.940s C*
17 Richard Wren, Virgin Yamaha, 1:32.354s
18 Gareth Glynn, Jentin Racing Yamaha, 1:32.603s C*
19 Michael Laverty, Stobart Honda, 1:37.181s
20 Dean Ellison, Slingshot Racing Honda, 1:43.346s
* Supercup privateer
Overall:
1 Leon Haslam, GSE Racing Ducati, 1:27.336s
2 Tommy Hill, Virgin Yamaha, 1:27.408s
3 Michael Rutter, HM Plant Honda, 1:27.444s
4 Karl Harris, Honda UK Racing 1:27.508s
5 James Haydon, Virgin Yamaha, 1:27.687s
6 Jonathan Rea, Red Bull Honda, 1:27.914s
7 Steve Plater, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:28.081s
8 Ben Wilson, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:29.075s
9 John Laverty, Vitrans Ten Kate Honda, 1:29.482s
10 Kieran Clarke, Hydrex Honda, 1:29.852s
11 Nick Medd, ARCO Medd Racing Kawasaki, 1:30.228s
12 Jon Kirkham, Sendo Dienza Performance Kawasaki, 1:30.700s
13 Tristan Palmer, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:31.098s
14 John Reynolds, Rizla Suzuki, 1:31.433s
15 Scott Smart, Rizla Suzuki, 1:31.510s
16 Marty Nutt, Nutttravel.com Racing Honda, 1:31.940s C*
17 Richard Wren, Virgin Yamaha, 1:32.354s
18 Gareth Glynn, Jentin Racing Yamaha, 1:32.603s C*
19 Gary Mason, Stobart Honda, 1:35.395s
20 Gregorio Lavilla, GSE Racing Ducati, 1:36.708s
21 Michael Laverty, Stobart Honda, 1:37.181s
22 Dean Ellison, Slingshot Racing Honda, 1:43.346s
23 Luke Quigley, Jentin Racing Yamaha, 1:43.618s
* Supercup privateer
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