Stobart VK Vent Axia Motorsport rider Tom Sykes emerged from his local circuit of Croft with a superb double podium in both of today’s 20 lap Bennetts British Superbike Championship races.
After qualifying on the front row of the grid, the 21 year old Yorkshireman ran with the leading bunch in both races as rain clouds threatened overhead, but showing maturity beyond his years, Sykes muscled his way up on to the podium in front of another bumper BSB crowd.
The result moves him up to sixth in the Championship going into the next round at Cadwell Park in two weeks time.
But if Croft was a success for Sykes, then for team mate Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne it didn’t reap the rewards he was hoping for.
The 30 year old Londoner suffered two crashes during qualifying and was hampered by a row three start but he salvaged a couple of top ten positions from the weekend to remain in fifth position in the Championship.
The next round of the Championship takes place at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire over the bank holiday weekend.
Tom Sykes“It’s great to repay the team with a double podium and I’m over the moon. I got a good start in both races and in the first race I realised I had a little bit left and thought about going for second but it was a bit of a do or die manoeuvre and I didn’t want to risk anything. I felt quite comfortable in the second race but I knew Greg Lavilla was going to have a go at the hairpin but I held him off and it was brilliant to get on the podium again. Thanks to the whole team and to Dunlop for their support. Hopefully we can carry this momentum on for the next round.”
Shane Byrne“Unfortunately today, that was all I had to give. The two crashes yesterday didn’t help, but all credit to the boys who worked really hard to get the bikes ready, I had hoped to repay them with a podium. The first race was a nightmare but the second one started off OK but then I just dropped off and it got harder and harder. We’ve got ten days off now so I’m going home to get my head together, do some training and come back to Cadwell Park back on form.”
Paul Bird“I’m absolutely made up for Tom, the kid deserves this so much and I’m really pleased for him and to do it at a local track is magnificent for the team, the sponsors and the fans. It didn’t work out for Shakey this weekend but that sometimes happens and I’m looking forward to both of the boys being on the podium at Cadwell.”
Race 1 Results- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 26m51.398s
- Jonathan Rea (Honda) +1.301s
- Tom Sykes (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) +1.488s
- Cal Crutchlow (Suzuki) +1.758s
- Leon Haslam (Ducati) +2.124s
- Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +7.165s
- Leon Camier (Honda) +12.752s
- Chris Walker (Suzuki) +18.487s
- Shane Byrne (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) +18.744s
- Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +24.845s
Race 2 Result- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 26m51.188s
- Jonathan Rea (Honda) +1.763s
- Tom Sykes (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) +2.157s
- Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +2.583s
- Leon Camier (Honda) +4.305s
- Leon Haslam (Ducati) +4.628s
- Shane Byrne (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) +8.964s
- Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +35.969s
- Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +39.549s
- Chris Walker (Suzuki) +39.600s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Positions after Round 10- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 348pts
- Jonathan Rea (Honda) 322pts
- Leon Haslam (Ducati) 288pts
- Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 269pts
- Shane Byrne (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) 244pts
- Tom Sykes (Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda) 203pts
- Leon Camier (Honda) 199pts
- Chris Walker (Suzuki) 165pts
- Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 116pts
- Karl Harris (Honda) 107pts
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