Sykes double silences critics

IT was a day of doubles for Tom Sykes at Brno on Sunday as he claimed a pair of second-place finishes - then gleefully stuck two figurative fingers up at his 2012 critics.

Despite finally enjoying the breakthrough year that he has so craved in World Superbikes - Sykes sits third in the standings - the Leamington ace is still battling to convince the paddock of his credentials.

Ironically, by securing pole position for the seventh time in nine rounds in the Czech Republic, Sykes was leaving himself open to yet more criticism.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having turned those pole positions into just one race victory, Sykes’ ability to last the race distance ensured he was a one-trick pony in the eyes of his critics, unable to manage his tyres and race conservatively enough to sustain a challenge over multiple laps.

However, a pair of second-placed finishes in Brno did much to answer those sniping nay-sayers and left Sykes to reflect on a job well done.

“Having the bike working so well at the end of the race is such a good breath of fresh air,” said Sykes, who was pipped to the chequered flag in both races by the championship’s in-form rider Marco Melandri.

“It has proved a few people wrong.

“We started very strong in race two and the lap times were good, then the tyre dropped a little bit in performance but the very small adjustment we made after race one meant that the tyre felt very consistent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I made my own race out in front alone and I think I am quite good at managing it and it seemed to work. We started to go a little bit faster towards the end but I felt a bit of an attack from Marco Melandri.

“Finally, the lap time got affected but it was great to battle with a rider like him.”