Sykes ‘well prepared’ after mixed conditions

Tom Sykes says with strong pace during all three World Superbike practice sessions in mixed conditions at Donington Park he’s confident of fighting at the front regardless of the weather.

Sykes, who holds the all-time World Superbike wins record at the British track, once again demonstrated his speed at his home round having topped the second session in drying conditions while finishing second behind teammate Jonathan Rea in both FP1 and FP3.

The 2013 World Superbike champion feels his pace in all conditions can challenge for top honours and is eager to maintain his momentum from strong showings a the past two rounds which has seen him on a run of three consecutive rostrums including a victory in race two at Assen.

“I’ve always had a good run around this track and I don’t know why. I can’t try harder and it is a circuit of two halves but we seem to cover it all fairly well,” Sykes said. “Today has been a bit of a miserable day with the weather but I’m still enjoying it on the bike.

“We’ve had three different sessions and had a good result in all three so I feel very well prepared for tomorrow.

“In the third session we got lots of good information but were not pushing the front just as we needed to but overall the lap time was good. I’m not sure what the forecast is tomorrow as it always changes but hopefully we can finish strongly and on top of the podium.

“Jonathan has gone well here before and on the Honda so there is no hiding the fact he enjoys the circuit. It could be a fruity fight and hopefully a good race.”

12 months ago Sykes lost his unbeaten streak at Donington Park to Rea in race two which ended a run of nine consecutive World Superbike race wins at the track.