LEON Haslam has work to do today if he is to force himself into contention for a top grid spot in Britain's round of the World Superbike championship at Silverstone.

The Smalley star completed yesterday's first qualifying session at the Northamptonshire circuit with the eighth fastest time on his Alstare Suzuki.

Ominously, his principal title rival, Max Biaggi, on an Aprilia, was one place ahead of him on a day dominated by British riders.

However, Haslam has this morning's second qualifying to try to improve his time before going into this afternoon's Superpole sessions that will decide the composition of the grid for tomorrow's two races..

The 27-year-old, who trails Italian Biaggi by 68 points in the standings with three rounds of the series remaining, lapped the newly-revamped circuit in 2.06:464.

That was only 0.15 seconds slower than Biaggi but 0.8 seconds behind fastest man Cal Crutchlow.

Haslam, the early championship leader, is hoping to resolve the grip problems that plagued him in the last two races in the Czech Republic.

He was able to finish only eighth and 10th at Brno, his worst result of the campaign.

Yamaha man Crutchlow finished the session ahead of Honda's Jonathan Rea, with fellow Brits Leon Camier (Aprilia) and James Toseland (Yamaha) in fourth and sixth places respectively.

All but one of the seven regular British riders in the series were in the top 10.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) was tenth, while Shane Byrne (Ducati) ended the day 13th after an excursion into a gravel trap. Wild card rider Tommy Bridewell found the pace hot in 24th position.