SBK, Donington: Sykes tames Rea

Tom Sykes has confirmed his status as King of Donington, scoring his eighth consecutive win at the East Midlands track. A win in which he showed strength, determination, grit and perhaps a little anger about a contract with Kawasaki that he isn't satisfied with. There is an offer on the table but not the kind of offer Tom would expect from a Manufacturer with which he's won the world title and considering that, when everything runs smoothly, he's still a rider who can fight for the positions that count in every race.

As he did yesterday with Giugliano, Sykes today had to fight hard to get the best of Jonathan Rea, who wanted to restablish his role as team leader, as well as interrupt Tom's winning streak at this track. In the end Tom Sykes crossed the line just over two seconds ahead of Rea, but this was also due to a last lap in which the current world champ slowed down, having tried everything to score the win, but there was nothing to be done against an obstinate Sykes so strong in braking and able to close every space.

Third for the Ducati and Chaz Davies, who closed a rather tough weekend positively, despite the points lost in the standings. A classification that now sees him in third place, behind Sykes. Davies had to defend himself from a strong Lorenzo Savadori who just missed out on the podium. Perhaps in the rush to close the gap, the Italian made a few mistakes that prevented him from reaching Davies and attempting a final attack.  Davide Giugliano's race was one to forget; he placed just seventh today after the positive Race 1 podium, as he struggled due to technical issues with his Panigale that didn't allow him to stick with the front group.

Fifth place for a solid Leon Camier who fought off Nicky Hayden, sixth, at ease on a track he knows well. Seventh for Giugliano, ahead of VD Mark and Joshua Brokkes. A determined Baubier rounds out the top ten.

The championship standings are now as follows: Rea extends his lead and now holds 293 points ahead of Sykes with 237 punti. Davies is third with 231, Giugliano fourth on 147.