SYKES TAKES OVER 2ND IN BSB SERIES
Source: Suzuki
Aug 25, 2008 - 4:39:00 PM
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Rizla Suzuki's Tom Sykes took two well-earned second places in today's ninth
round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park in
Lincolnshire to move up to second overall in the title chase while his team mate
Atsushi Watanabe took a ninth and followed it with a season-best
seventh.
Sykes led for two-thirds of the opening race and posted the
fastest lap before being out-braked at the end of the straight on lap 10 as he
took a tear-off from his visor. He remained in contention for the win right
until the end but was just beaten to the chequered flag at the 2.18-mile
picturesque track by Honda's Leon Haslam. Watanabe started from eighth on the
grid and impressed to record ninth in warm sunshine.
In the second
shortened race, Sykes again led from the front, completing seven laps before
being passed by Haslam. The pair fought to the end but no opportunity to pass
meant he had to settle for second and move up from third to second in the
Championship standings. Watanabe got a stronger start and battled through to
take seventh place, his best result of the season.
Sykes and Rizla Suzuki
are back in action again on September 7th at the 11th round of the World
Superbike Championship at Donington Park in Leicestershire as a wild-card entry.
After that he will be joined by Watanabe at the 10th round of the British
Superbike Championship at Croft on Sunday, September 14th.
Tom
Sykes:
"In the first race I was passed and then lost a few
tenths when the front wheel slid at the hairpin. There weren't enough laps left
to catch it back again. In the second race Leon got past me cleanly and then we
had a hard fight right to the end but it is very tight and narrow around Cadwell
Park and I didn't want to risk a dangerous overtake and ended up second
again.
"It's a good double rostrum for Rizla Suzuki, although I would
have liked to have won a race to say thank you to the team for all its efforts.
Second in the title race is what we want and from here on in I'll be getting my
finger out to bring home more silverware. We all want more race
wins."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"In race two I enjoyed a
fight with Karl Harris and Michael Laverty. My Rizla Suzuki is performing very
well and the engine braking and throttle response gives me much confidence.
Passing Michael was difficult as his Suzuki has similar speed but I really
wanted a good result.
"Cadwell Park is track I like, although the
Mountain is still scary. I feel that my Rizla Suzuki is better than ever and I
am now looking forward to the rest of the season. I cannot wait for
Croft."
Jack Valentine - Rizla Suzuki Team
Manager:
"A pair of second places is a good result for Tom and the Rizla
Suzuki squad - well done to them all. We harboured hopes for wins but Cadwell
Park is a tough place to make overtakes - but we have all enjoyed fighting at
the front for the top honours.
"Atsu has proved a point this round by
conquering the hardest circuit on the BSB calendar and taking his best result so
far and quite a few good scalps in the process. He has found confidence in his
Rizla Suzuki and is riding like a different man compared to earlier in the year,
he is showing his talent and we like what we see.
"It's off to World
Championship duty for Tom and Rizla Suzuki in a fortnight and we want to be
challenging for the podium if possible. The GSX-R1000 is right on the money and
so is Tom - the fans really helped us at Brands earlier in the month and I hope
they'll come and show their support again at Donington."
Race One
Results:
1: Leon Haslam (Honda) 26:42.195
2: Tom
Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.551
3: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +8.819
4:
Leon Camier (Ducati) +11.981
5: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +18.970
6: Michael
Rutter (Ducati) +19.482
7: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +22.094
8: Michael
Laverty (Suzuki) +26.571
9: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki)
+33.816
10: Gary Mason (Honda) +34.606
Race Two
Results:
1: Haslam 22:11.771
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla
Suzuki) +0.541
3: Byrne +0.910
4: Camier +1.269
5: Rutter
+16.556
6: Andrews +23.458
7: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki)
+27.178
8: S Smart (Kawasaki) +27.375
9: Laverty +28.549
10:
Karl Harris (Yamaha) +37.426
Championship Positions
(after nine of 12 rounds):
1: Byrne 364
2: Tom Sykes
(Rizla Suzuki) 254
3: Haslam 249
4: Crutchlow 236
5: Camier
205
6: Rutter 195
7: Ellison 177
8: Andrews 127
9: Laverty
125
10: Tristan Palmer (Honda) 84
15: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla
Suzuki) 50
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