Sykes takes first clear win of 2015

Race One at Donington was a two-man fight between KRT team-mates Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea, in what was an occasionally over-aggressive battle for supremacy that kept the crowd’s attention for most of the 23 laps. Even after Sykes had made his decisive move ahead with a handful of laps remaining, many expected Rea to come back but this time he had no answer for his team-mate.

Sykes’ final margin of victory was 3.743 seconds, more than good enough for or his first win over his new team-mate in 2015.

Third place went to Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati WSB) taking the final podium spot from Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), who had been third for much of the race.

Ayrton Badovini was the first non-British rider, fifth on his BMW Motorrad Italia S1000RR, after passing Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki). Lowes was sixth, albeit 20 seconds from first place.

First time Donington rider Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) placed seventh and almost-local rider Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda WSB) eighth.

A bad start and a mid-race drop in pace did not stop Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) finishing inside the top ten, in ninth position, with David Salom (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) tenth.