News 29 Sep 2013

Sykes takes out eventful opening WSBK race at Laguna Seca

Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes has emerged victor in an eventful opening World Superbike race at Laguna Seca which saw riders make three separate starts after two red-flag periods.

Kawasaki's Tom Sykes extended his points advantage with the race one win.

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes extended his points advantage with the race one win.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes has emerged victor in an eventful opening World Superbike race at Laguna Seca which saw riders make three separate starts after two red-flag periods.

The scheduled 26-lap race was shortened to just 12 after major crashes for AMA Superbike wildcards Danny Eslick and Roger Hayden, both aboard Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki entries.

Sykes, who started second behind polesitter Sylvain Guintoli, moved into the lead on lap 10 after putting a spectacular pass on BMW Motorrad GoldBet’s Chaz Davies in one of the circuit’s downhill sections.

“It was hard having three starts but it ended up good for us with a race win,” said Sykes. “Sylvain and I came together at the entry to turn one off the start and our contact pushed my brake lever down from its normal position.

“That was a bit awkward to deal with for a little while but I got my head around it. I was pushing to stay with the BMW guys up front for a while but in the end it was a good race for us.

“Another race tomorrow so that is what I am thinking about now.”

The Kawasaki rider opened a slight gap to greet the chequered flag with a 1.253-second margin from Davies, while Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty was able to find his way by the second BMW of Marco Melandri to take the final podium placing.

Guintoli lost considerable ground in the final stanza of the interrupted race, unfortunate to go from first to fifth after leading both of the initial legs off the line.

Davide Giguliano took sixth on the Althea Racing Aprilia from Jules Cluzel on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki (sevent), Tony Elias on the Red Devils Aprilia (eighth) and Ayrton Badovini on the Team Ducati Alstare mount (ninth), with Aussie Mark Aitchison carding a consistent 10th on the Team Pedercini Kawasaki.

Next Gen Motorsports’ Glenn Allerton took the final finishing place in 16th on his Zoom Recruitment-backed BMW S 1000 R.

Sykes’ points lead over Guintoli extended to 22 following the first race at Laguna Seca, with Laverty a further 13 behind.

The second race of the WSBK weekend, which consists only of the premier 1000cc category, will be run tomorrow.

2013 World Superbike Championship
Round 12 – Laguna Seca, United States

Superbike race one:
1. Tom Sykes
2. Chaz Davies
3. Eugene Laverty
4. Marco Melandri
5. Sylvain Guintoli
6. Davide Giugliano
7. Jules Cluzel
8. Toni Elias
9. Ayrton Badovini
10. Mark Aitchison
11. David Salom
12. Blake Young
13. Michel Fabrizio
14. Federico Sandi
15. Vittorio Iannuzzo
16. Glen Allerton

Click here for detailed results

Recent