Sykes storms to Sepang win

Superpole winner Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) became race winner at Sepang as he romped home 5.6 seconds clear of his team-mate Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) after leading for virtually the whole race distance.

He set a new lap record of 2’03.637 on lap two to make an escape and extended his lead with apparent ease. This was his second race victory of 2016.

In third place Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) could not quite get on terms with the two Kawasaki riders at Sepang, but the top three were well ahead of the rest of the field, competing on tarmac that was over 50°C.

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) lost an almost certain fourth when his bike slowed and stopped, which allowed Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) to pick up fourth place.

Despite running off track and having to make a recovery through the field Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) scored a fifth place, finishing close to Torres.

On a soft rear tyre Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was sixth. Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) won the battle of the CBR riders as Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) opted for a soft tyre that saw him fast, and in the top few places, in the early stages.

A great ride from stand-in competitor Anthony West (Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) saw him ninth in his first Superbike event, 2.4 seconds up on series regular Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).

Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW) completed race one in 11^th place, one place up on his closely following team-mate Karel Abraham (Milwaukee BMW).

Another replacement rider, Luca Scassa (VFT Racing Ducati) was 13^th, while Dominic Schmitter (Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki) and Josh Hook (Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki) took the final points on offer for 14^th and 15^th place finishes.

In the championship Rea leads Davies by 39 points. Sepang race two will take place same time tomorrow.