Cadwell Park British Superbikes: Tom Sykes: “Second in the title race is what we wanted”

Tom Sykes couldn’t hide his disappointment at not winning a race at Cadwell Park last weekend after dominating throughout the course of the three days.

Sykes topped every dry session all weekend up until the races, where he was denied the top step of the podium by a resurgent Leon Haslam.

But the Huddersfield rider did say he could take comfort that he has now moved into second in the championship standings behind run-away leader, Shane Byrne.

Sykes said: “”In the first race I was passed and then lost a few tenths when the front wheel slid at the hairpin. There weren’t enough laps left to catch it back again.

“In the second race Leon got past me cleanly and then we had a hard fight right to the end but it is very tight and narrow around Cadwell Park and I didn’t want to risk a dangerous overtake and ended up second again.

“It’s a good double rostrum for Rizla Suzuki, although I would have liked to have won a race to say thank you to the team for all its efforts. Second in the title race is what we want and from here on in I’ll be getting my finger out to bring home more silverware. We all want more race wins.”

On the other side of the pit garage, Japanese Cadwell Park virgin Atsushi Watanabe had his most impressive weekend of the year.

The Japanese rider scored a season best seventh in race two after making it into the final phase of F1 qualifying on Sunday. But he admitted the Mountain did scare him a little.

“In race two I enjoyed a fight with Karl Harris and Michael Laverty. My Rizla Suzuki is performing very well and the engine braking and throttle response gives me much confidence,” said the two-time Japanese Superbike Champion.

“Passing Michael was difficult as his Suzuki has similar speed but I really wanted a good result. Cadwell Park is track I like, although the Mountain is still scary.

“I feel that my Rizla Suzuki is better than ever and I am now looking forward to the rest of the season. I cannot wait for Croft.”