Donington WSBK: Sykes holds off Rea for second win of the weekend
Tom Sykes secured his eighth consecutive World Superbike victory at Donington Park after keeping Kawasaki teammate Jonathan Rea at bay throughout the entire distance in the second race.
Tom Sykes, Kawasaki Racing Team
John Rowley
Polesitter Sykes had a good getaway to lead off the line with Rea, third at Turn 1, taking advantage of Chaz Davies running wide to claim second.
The duo quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field, as the Ducati of Davies failed to keep up.
With the gap between the two rarely going above three tenths, Rea applied race-long pressure on Sykes, but waited for his overtaking chance until Lap 18.
He snuck past at the Melbourne Hairpin, only to lose the lead after running too deep one turn later.
Rea did not risk another move and settled for second, allowing Sykes to remain unbeaten at Donington Park for the fourth year in a row.
Davies completed a calm race in third, safely ahead of Lorenzo Savadori, the Italian passing fellow WSBK newcomer Nicky Hayden for the spot.
The duo, as well as Leon Camier, overtook Davide Giugliano in the early stages and, despite dropping back for a couple of laps, the Briton secured sixth.
Reigning British Superbike champion Joshua Brookes fought his way up from 14th to take his first top 10 finish since the season opener.
The Australian was demoted by Michael van der Mark in the end, slipping to ninth, with Cameron Beaubier, replacement of the injured Sylvain Guintoli, completing the top 10.
Race results:
Pos | Rider | Bike | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tom Sykes | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 33:55.601 |
2 | Jonathan Rea | Kawasaki ZX-10R | +2.017 |
3 | Chaz Davies | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | +4.437 |
4 | Lorenzo Savadori | Aprilia RSV4 RF | +6.423 |
5 | Leon Camier | MV Agusta 1000 F4 | +11.808 |
6 | Nicky Hayden | Honda CBR1000RR SP | +12.455 |
7 | Davide Giugliano | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | +24.212 |
8 | Michael van der Mark | Honda CBR1000RR SP | +25.931 |
9 | Josh Brookes | BMW S1000 RR | +26.512 |
10 | Cameron Beaubier | Yamaha YZF-R1 | +26.955 |
11 | Jordi Torres | BMW S1000 RR | +29.684 |
12 | Anthony West | Kawasaki ZX-10R | +35.433 |
13 | Roman Ramos | Kawasaki ZX-10R | +35.862 |
14 | Xavi Fores | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | +39.240 |
15 | Alex de Angelis | Aprilia RSV4 RF | +45.790 |
16 | Markus Reiterberger | BMW S1000 RR | +46.252 |
17 | Luca Scassa | Ducati 1199 Panigale R | +56.488 |
18 | Dominic Schmitter | Kawasaki ZX-10R | +1:18.282 |
19 | Pawel Szkopek | Yamaha YZF-R1 | +1:23.479 |
R | Saeed Al Sulaiti | Kawasaki ZX-10R | |
R | Imre Toth | Yamaha YZF-R1 | |
R | Mathieu Lussiana | BMW S1000 RR | |
R | Karel Abraham | BMW S1000 RR |
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