WSBK: Sykes and Laverty share victories
Under blue skies at Assen, the Kawasaki man had it all to himself in race one before Laverty steeled himself and his Aprilia to take the spoils in the secondThe2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship continued at Assen on April 28, as Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes and Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty shared victories in the two 22-lap races. Australia’s Mark Aitchison took a pair of 15th places on his privateer Suzuki.
WSBK race one
Sykes, 27, scored his sixth WSBK victory in style, thanks to an incredible pace that allowed him to pull away from the chasing pack in the early laps. It was also Kawasaki’s first win at Assen since Chris Walker in 2006. Jonathan Rea (Honda) was second after a late pass on Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia). Championship leader Laverty and Loris Baz (Kawasaki) saw out the top five.
BMW’s Chaz Davies had to line up on the last row of the grid after a warm-up crash forced his crew to a quick rebuild of his S 1000 RR, but he still finished a credible seventh behind Davide Guigliano (Aprilia). Davies’ teammate Marco Melandri -- supported by six-time world motocross champion and close friend Tony Cairoli – suffered a technical problem on his bike during the warm-up lap and was forced to pull in before the start.
“The bike was working well and was very consistent today,” said Sykes. “That race was nice and, believe me, to see that pit board gap get bigger every lap is magical for a rider. When Eugene came past me in race two I realised it was much easier to follow than to lead round here and it was just unfortunate that exiting the final chicane on the last lap I hit the kerb on the inside when I was trying to pass him, and I was out of the seat.”
WSBK race two
Sykes was in the lead until lap 19, when Laverty decided to take the plunge and made a move on the Brit at turn six. Sykes managed to stay with the Irishman until the end and attempted a final fling as the duo crossed the line side by side. A 0.089-second margin allowed Laverty to score his fifth career win and his second in 2013.
“The little time we had with a dry track created a few problems in race one,” said Laverty. “In fact, before the second race we made some changes to the RSV4, which we usually don't do because of how risky that is. Actually the changes made worked really well. Despite feeling very comfortable on the bike I didn't think I would have stayed with Sykes. But in the end I was able to keep up with his pace.
“Winning today was important. We back in the fight for the championship and we were able to leave the troubles from Aragón behind us.”
Baz fended off Rea too finish third, while Davies and Guintoli were fifth and sixth. Guigliano crashed out on lap six while he was in third place – and more misery ensued when his bike caught on fire.
World Supersport
Sam Lowes (Yamaha) and reigning champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) were back at the front for a two-way fight. The two riders shared the lead over the course of the 21 laps, but it wasn’t until the last lap that the final battle took place: Sofuoglu overpowered Lowes on the straight that leads to turn six, but couldn't do much when Lowes got along the inside of him on the last chicane to cross the line in first place.
Championship leader Fabien Foret (Kawasaki) was third, while Wollongong’s Mitch Carr took 23rd on his AARK Racing Triumph 675R. West Wyalong’s Matt Davies (Honda) retired on after 11 laps.
For full results and standings visit www.worldsbk.com. The next round will be held at Monza from May 10-12.
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