Sykes and Laverty share the spoils

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes and Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty have emerged with the race wins at round 12 of the 2013 Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca in America on September 29-230.

Sykes was the victor in race one, which was eventually contested over 12 laps rather than the scheduled 26 due to two red flags, caused by the crashes sustained firstly by Danny Eslick (Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki) and then by his team mate Roger Hayden.

Sykes took the lead on the 10th lap thanks to an outstanding overtaking manoeuvre at turn 11, after a side-by-side downhill ride with Chaz Davies (BMW). The championship leader then rode comfortably to win the race, while Marco Melandri lost some ground after trying to pass his team mate Davies at turn five and then, on the final lap, lost third place courtesy of a superb pass by Laverty at the "Corkscrew".

Laverty's team-mate Sylvain Guintoli ended up fifth, a frustrating result for the Frenchman who was comfortably in the lead in each of the two interrupted races. Davide Giugliano  Aprilia) claimed sixth place, ahead of Jules Cluzel (Suzuki), Toni Elias (Aprilia), Ayrton Badovini (Ducati) and Aussie Mark Aitchison (Kawasaki).

Potential podium contender Niccolò Canepa (Team Ducati Alstare) and Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) could not line-up for the final restart of the race after crashing out in the second part.

Laverty won race two in spectacular fashion in front of 41.175 excited spectators. After passing Giugliano at turn five with two laps to go, the Irishman made the exact same move on Sykes on the following lap, breaking the spell that was holding the Brit at the front for most of the race.

Sykes tried everything he could to defend his position under braking, but once he lost the lead he was passed by both Giugliano and Melandri, crossing the line in fourth place.

Guintoli did not manage to catch the leading pack to be in contention for the win, but the end result today helped him stay in touch with Sykes in the standings, as he ended up fifth ahead of fellow Frenchman Cluzel, Elias, wildcard Hayden and David Salom (Kawasaki).

Aitchison was 13th in race two, while fellow Aussie Glenn Allerton (BMW) went 13-17 over the weekend.

Sykes is still the championship leader with a 23pt advantage over Laverty, who has jumped to second position in the overall standings. Guintoli is now third, 1pt behind his team-mate, while Melandri is now 42pts short from the lead.

For full results and standings, visit www.worldsbk.com/en/season.html.