Rea and Baz prevail at Silverstone

Briton Jonathan Rea (Honda) and Frenchman Loris Baz (Kawasaki) secured race wins in round nine of the 2013 Superbike World Championship at Silverstone as Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) extended his lead in the standings over Tom Sykes (Kawasaki).

In race one, Rea led home an all-British from Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) and Leon Camier (Suzuki) as he returned to the top step of the podium in more than a year. The race, reduced by one lap due to the delayed start, saw constant changes of position throughout the 17 laps, with Laverty passing Camier on the final lap. Camier delivered his and FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team's first podium of the season on his 27th birthday.

Jonathan Rea said: "This is probably one of the sweetest victories of my career. I had to be smart and, as I saw the gap heading into the last few laps, I didn’t want to be throwing away that kind of lead.

“We made a good change for race two and got up to fourth after I got stuck behind Tom Sykes for a few laps. The race two result was okay but we can go into the summer break happy enough that we’ve got an overall package that can challenge for podiums."

Guintoli and Baz were fourth and fifth, with the former managing to extend his title leadership as Sykes ended up 11th.

Baz won an epic race two, shining on the same track which saw him achieve his first ever WSBK win in 2012. The Frenchman was leading during the final lap when the red flag was waved as the rain suddenly increased and two riders fell off at Stowe corner. One of the two involved was Jules Cluzel, but the Suzuki rider managed to rejoin and make it back to the pits, sealing a fantastic maiden podium finish as the results reverted back to the previous lap when he was running second.

Laverty finished third place, ahead of Rea and Camier, who had his shot at the lead before losing several positions, during the incredible seven-way battle that characterised the second part of the race.

Loris Baz said: “In the first part of the race, even in the dry, I had good pace and I pushed at the front. I tried to control the pace from the front but there were some fast people behind me and it was difficult to go away.

“Every time somebody tried to pass me I passed them back and at the end the conditions were really wet and I nearly fell. I want to say thanks my team because they are making a really good job with this bike. Now I feel really comfortable. I also want to dedicate this victory to Andrea Antonelli’s family.”

Antonelli passed away in the last world supersport round in Moscow.

Guintoli was sixth, one spot ahead of Sykes. The Frenchman now leads the championship by 13pts ahead of Sykes (262 to 249)*, followed by Laverty (226), Marco Melandri (BMW, 221) and Chaz Davies (BMW, 180).

Australia’s Mark Aitchison, making a one-off appearance for Pedercini Kawasaki, finished with 15-14 results.

In world supersport, Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) took victory following a classic battle with championship leader Sam Lowes (Yamaha). Both pulled away from the rest of the field in the first part of the race, but it wasn't until the last lap that the real fight for the win took place, as they swapped positions several times.
    
Fabien Foret (Kawasaki) was third, and Australians Glen Richards (Triumph), Billy McConnell (Triumph), Matt Davies (Honda) and Mitchell Carr (Honda) were 17th, 22nd, 25th and 30th respectively.

For full results and standings in both world championship classes, visit www.worldsbk.com/en/season.html.

*Possible updated results could be defined by the International Disciplinary Court which is dealing with the appeal lodged by Aprilia Racing Team and rider Sylvain Guintoli, following the decision taken by the FIM Stewards in Monza (Italian Round, last 12 May) to cancel the drop of position sanction (from third to fourth place in race 2) imposed by the Race Direction on rider Tom Sykes.