SYKES TAKES OVER 2ND IN BSB SERIES
Rizla Suzuki's Tom Sykes took two well-earned second places
in today's ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire to move up to second overall
in the title chase while his team mate Atsushi Watanabe took
a ninth and followed it with a season-best seventh.
Sykes led for two-thirds of the opening race and posted the
fastest lap before being out-braked at the end of the straight
on lap 10 as he took a tear-off from his visor. He remained
in contention for the win right until the end but was just
beaten to the chequered flag at the 2.18-mile picturesque
track by Honda's Leon Haslam. Watanabe started from eighth
on the grid and impressed to record ninth in warm sunshine.
In the second shortened race, Sykes again led from the front,
completing seven laps before being passed by Haslam. The pair
fought to the end but no opportunity to pass meant he had
to settle for second and move up from third to second in the
Championship standings. Watanabe got a stronger start and
battled through to take seventh place, his best result of
the season.
Sykes and Rizla Suzuki are back in action again on September
7th at the 11th round of the World Superbike Championship
at Donington Park in Leicestershire as a wild-card entry.
After that he will be joined by Watanabe at the 10th round
of the British Superbike Championship at Croft on Sunday,
September 14th.
Tom Sykes:
"In the first race I was passed and then lost a few
tenths when the front wheel slid at the hairpin. There weren't
enough laps left to catch it back again. In the second race
Leon got past me cleanly and then we had a hard fight right
to the end but it is very tight and narrow around Cadwell
Park and I didn't want to risk a dangerous overtake and ended
up second again.
"It's a good double rostrum for Rizla Suzuki, although
I would have liked to have won a race to say thank you to
the team for all its efforts. Second in the title race is
what we want and from here on in I'll be getting my finger
out to bring home more silverware. We all want more race wins."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"In race two I enjoyed a fight with Karl Harris and
Michael Laverty. My Rizla Suzuki is performing very well and
the engine braking and throttle response gives me much confidence.
Passing Michael was difficult as his Suzuki has similar speed
but I really wanted a good result.
"Cadwell Park is track I like, although the Mountain
is still scary. I feel that my Rizla Suzuki is better than
ever and I am now looking forward to the rest of the season.
I cannot wait for Croft."
Jack Valentine - Rizla Suzuki Team Manager:
"A pair of second places is a good result for Tom and
the Rizla Suzuki squad - well done to them all. We harboured
hopes for wins but Cadwell Park is a tough place to make overtakes
- but we have all enjoyed fighting at the front for the top
honours.
"Atsu has proved a point this round by conquering the
hardest circuit on the BSB calendar and taking his best result
so far and quite a few good scalps in the process. He has
found confidence in his Rizla Suzuki and is riding like a
different man compared to earlier in the year, he is showing
his talent and we like what we see.
"It's off to World Championship duty for Tom and Rizla
Suzuki in a fortnight and we want to be challenging for the
podium if possible. The GSX-R1000 is right on the money and
so is Tom - the fans really helped us at Brands earlier in
the month and I hope they'll come and show their support again
at Donington."
Race One Results:
1: Leon Haslam (Honda) 26:42.195
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.551
3: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +8.819
4: Leon Camier (Ducati) +11.981
5: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +18.970
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +19.482
7: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +22.094
8: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +26.571
9: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +33.816
10: Gary Mason (Honda) +34.606
Race Two Results:
1: Haslam 22:11.771
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.541
3: Byrne +0.910
4: Camier +1.269
5: Rutter +16.556
6: Andrews +23.458
7: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +27.178
8: S Smart (Kawasaki) +27.375
9: Laverty +28.549
10: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +37.426
Championship Positions (after nine of 12 rounds):
1: Byrne 364
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 254
3: Haslam 249
4: Crutchlow 236
5: Camier 205
6: Rutter 195
7: Ellison 177
8: Andrews 127
9: Laverty 125
10: Tristan Palmer (Honda) 84
15: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) 50
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