Tom Sykes, Jonathan Rea, and Chaz Davies hit “repeat” at the British round of the World Superbike Championship finishing in that order in both races. Sykes demonstrated absolute commitment throughout the weekend to win his first races of 2015, and his fifth victory at Donnington Park.
The track was not enjoying great conditions with low temperatures and winds affecting lap times, but that didn’t preclude some tenacious racing. Aprilia factory rider Leon Haslam managed to put up a strong fight despite riding with cracked ribs, battling Sykes for the lead.
“It’s been a tough day” he said, after finishing fourth in both races. “I felt I didn’t have much left in the tank, as they were long races for me.”
Championship leader Jonathan Rea was quick, dicing for the lead with Kawasaki teammate Sykes midway through race one, but nearly crashed out in the second event. Refocused, Rea stormed back and claimed another second place to top up his points lead to a staggering 280, 102 points ahead of Sykes, who is third in the championship.
“I had no idea how I did so well” said Sykes. “I dug deep and tried to make it happen.” he told Bikesportnews.com. “My season starts here.”
The Kawasaki ZX-RR is undeniably the strongest machine this year, and with Rea so far ahead in the standings it would take a miracle, or a terrible accident, for anyone to seriously challenge the team for the 2015 title.
British riders made up the top five places in both rounds, surely satisfying the fans that crowded the circuit. The next SBK race is in Portugal in two weeks.
