Sykes takes fourth at Mallory

From Team Suzuki

Tom Sykes took two hard-earned fourth place finishes at the sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park on Sunday.

Starting from pole position in the opening dry race, the Rizla Suzuki rider made a steady start, falling back to fifth on the opening lap before battling back up the field. He was always in contention for the victory and set the fastest lap of the race at the 1.41-mile Mallory Park circuit on his way to fourth place.

In the second race, with the track soaking wet but the sun shining, Sykes opted for an intermediate front tire and slick rear. He got the holeshot but dropped back to ninth before the track dried enough to take advantage of his grippy Pirelli. He scythed through the field as the sun shone and was fourth again.

"Race one was very frustrating," Sykes said. "Rather than getting my trademark good start, my clutch grabbed and I found myself sixth going into the first corner. I fought my way up but the guys in front were quick and difficult to overtake. It's a shame as I had the pace and if I'd got off the line better I may have pulled away with a clear track in front.

"The second race was a real lottery and the tire choice we made was a good balance. As the track dried I got faster and fourth was the best I could do. It was a hard race and I am happy to have brought my Rizla Suzuki home given how slippery the track was during the first few laps."

Teammate Atsushi Watanabe showed real aggression and speed to take ninth in the opening race but found the treacherous conditions in race two difficult, ending up 20th.

Ducati's Shane Byrne won the first race and Michael Rutter the second.

There is now a three-week break for the Rizla Suzuki squad with round 7 of the British Superbike Championship taking place at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit on July 20.

Race 1 Result
1. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 28:33.049
2. Leon Haslam (Honda) +1.024
3. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +1.147
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.355
5. James Ellison (Honda) +11.302
6. Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +17.149
7. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +18.252
8. Tristan Palmer (Honda) +19.761
9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +26.422
10. John Laverty (Ducati) +27.593

Race 2 Results
1. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 30:10.219
2. Shane Byrne (Ducati) +4.405
3. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +4.586
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +13.383
5. Karl Harris (Yamaha) +13.589
6. Leon Haslam (Honda) +19.517
7. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +25.928
8. Leon Camier (Ducati) +35.007
9. Tristan Palmer (Honda) +44.194
10. Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +56.422

Championship Standings
1. Shane Byrne 280
2. Cal Crutchlow 183
3. Leon Camier 160
4. Leon Haslam 148
5. Michael Rutter 127
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 126
7. James Ellison 119
8. Michael Laverty 84
9. Simon Andrews 69
10. Stuart Easton 62