WSBK: Jonathan Rea extends championship lead at Donington Park
Rea twice finished as the runner-up, somehow managing to avoid crashing out in race two after saving a massive high-side on the ZX-10R, which dropped him back to seventh place.
The Ulster rider regrouped to mount a determined fight back to take the runner-up spot behind Sykes and now leads the standings by 101 points from Aprilia’s Leon Haslam, who is only a single point ahead of Sykes after finishing fourth in both races on the RSV4 RF behind Ducati’s Chaz Davies.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdYorkshireman Sykes’ brace saw him match World Superbike legend Carl Fogarty’s record of six wins at the Leicestershire circuit.
Sykes and Rea were involved in a fierce battle for the lead in the opening half of race one, trading blows repeatedly until Sykes eventually managed to break away, crossing the line to win by more than three seconds.
It was more straightforward for Sykes in race two, who charged into the lead and pulled away at the front, with Rea unable to mount a challenge after his spectacular near-miss on the second lap.
Sykes made it a perfect weekend as he set a new lap record, going on to win by nine seconds from title favourite Rea as Davies again completed the podium places ahead of Haslam.
Results:
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRace 1 – T Sykes (Kawasaki), 2 J Rea (Kawasaki), 3 C Davies (Ducati), 4 L Haslam (Aprilia), 5 A Badovini (BMW), 6 A Lowes (Suzuki).
Race 2 – 1 T Sykes, 2 J Rea, 3 C Davies, 4 L Haslam, 5 D Giugliano (Ducati), 6 A Lowes.
Next race: Portimao, Portugal, June 7.