Tom Sykes was in a philosophical mood as he saw his hopes of finishing either second or third in the overall Bennetts British Superbike standings slip through his fingers at
Brands Hatch.
Sykes was looking to consolidate his strong second half of the season by beating Leon Haslam to the runners-up spot, but fell behind with a lacklustre sixth place finish in the first race when he bogged down at the start.
A much better getaway in the second saw him lead into Paddock Hill Bend, although Haslam would emerge ahead on the exit. Dropping back gradually, Sykes was still destined for third in the standings from fifth when the Rizla Suzuki simply ‘stopped'.
Slowing down with just four laps remaining, Sykes coasted into the pit lane and into his first retirement since the sixth race of the season at Brands Hatch earlier in the year.
Losing out to Cal Crutchlow in the standings too, Sykes was disappointed to end his time in the championship and at Rizla Suzuki on a disappointment.
“It wasn't the ideal way to end the season,” he admitted to
Crash.net. “I certainly believe the team deserved third place in the championship but a little stroke of misfortune denied us that chance.
“What is the point of beating yourself up over something you can't control though? I could sit and think about it for the next few hours but I am not going to. It was silly and simple, but we will move on and put it behind us.”
