SYKES AT THE SHARP END AT MALLORY
 Tom
Sykes put his Rizla Suzuki into the number one spot during
second free practice at a damp Mallory Park today ahead of
round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
The first free practice session was in full dry conditions
and Sykes completed that in a strong third place, while Honda's
Cal Crutchlow set the fastest time. The difficult conditions
in the afternoon reduced the lap times but should it rain
on race day, the wet weather preparation will stand by the
Huddersfield rider.
Two time Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe rode
to a much improved sixth place during second free practice
having been 17th in the dry. He is still learning the circuit
and would have benefitted from more dry track time.
The singular 50-minute qualifying session takes place on
Saturday June 28th at 1440. Race one takes place on Sunday
June 29th at 1315 with race two at 1620 at the Leicestershire
circuit.
Tom Sykes:
"Free practice one was good as it was bone dry and
I was putting in consistent lap times on old tyres. We made
some geometry changes to the suspension and that helped matters
too, so I'm feeling confident in our dry settings for Mallory
Park. The second session was wet and we have made some big
changes to our wet set up so it was good to get on track and
try them. I felt very comfortable and confident, we will just
have to wait and see what the weather brings."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"Today has been difficult because of the rain. It happens
every race weekend; one session is dry and I'm learning, learning,
learning, but then it rains. I had a track day here with John
Reynolds so I have good feeling for the little track. I just
need more track time either in full wet or full dry conditions.
Damp conditions are not so good."
Free practice 1 results:
1: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 56.698
2: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.095
3: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.151
4: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +0.337
5: Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.351
6: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.882
7: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +0.900
8: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +0.953
9: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +0.996
10: Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +1.049
17: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +1.832
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