WSB Assen: Sykes Splashes To Provisional Pole

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) extended the advantage he already had in wet conditions in the first qualifying session at Assen to record a lap of 1’57.190 and push himself fully 1.634 seconds ahead of second place rider and championship leader, Sylvain Guintoli.

The Frenchman’s fellow Aprilia Racing rider Eugene Laverty was third, one place ahead of Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet).

In the sopping wet conditions Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) was a steady seventh and is waiting like the rest for a dry Saturday and final qualifying.

Leon Camier (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) put in a gritty showing to ride at all after suffering a deep and painful gash on his knee at the previous round two weeks ago. He made it worth his while by qualifying tenth after one day on track.

Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), double winner in Spain last time out, was only 14th on the wet track.