Championship leader Leon Haslam says he’s relieved to have bounced back from a crash yesterday and tyre struggles today to grab a front row grid spot for the first Bennetts British Superbike race at Knockhill.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider predicts two very close races at the short but challenging Scottish track, and admits he is pleased to have secured one of the coveted front row places.

Haslam, who crashed yesterday and then battled with tyre issues earlier today, set his lap early on in qualifying three, and it was enough to keep him third quickest behind pole man Jake Dixon and Josh Brookes.

“The front row was better than what we’d expected,” he said. “We’ve been struggling with the new tyre pace all weekend and losing FP2 yesterday wasn’t ideal. We’re feeling pretty good with race pace and rhythm but to have a front row start is really important here.”

Haslam says he’s expecting two close battles tomorrow, and doesn’t think anyone will get away at the front.

“This place is always so close and a tenth of a second is everything. You’ve got to analyse every corner. I don’t think there’s going to be any breakaways in the races

It’s tight racing, you’ve got to know where you can make your moves and be quite calculated with that but I think we’re in for very close races and I think they should be fun.”