Sykes reigns victorious yet again in Donington Race One

Donington Park is a happy home to Tom Sykes, with the Yorkshireman describing as one of his favourite circuits. His stellar record at the Derbyshire circuit continued today, as Sykes took a vital victory.

It was a race of Drama, which started on the first corner. Alex Lowes was sent wide after a strong Superpole performance put him fourth on the grid. This sent the Lincolnshire rider way down the order, leaving him to fight through the order.

Chaz Davies was the rider to set the pace in the early stages of the race. The Ducati man was able to take Sykes and teammate Jonathan Rea early on and started to gap the Kawasaki pair.

However, after gapping both Rea and Sykes, Davies slid off at Goddards. He was able to remount, but a victory was certainly now off the cards. Jonathan Rea now had control of the race, with his teammate way behind the Ulsterman.

Without a win in 2017, Sykes was not willing to settle for second. He was able to cut the gap down to his teammate, and take over the lead. In the process, Sykes and Rea collided, with caused some damage on Rea’s bike. This would eventually see Rea have a high side at the Craner Curves, sending him out of the race.

That would then leave Sykes to take his first victory of the season, and claim vital championship points with both his rivals falling. Second place would go to Leon Haslam, riding as a wildcard this weekend.

Third would go to Alex Lowes, who battled from the back of the grid to take third on the final corner. Marco Melandri went wide at Goddard’s, allowing Lowes to take a well-deserved podium. Melandri would end up fourth.

Michael Van der Mark was fifth, with Leon Camier finishing sixth. Leandro Mercardo crossed the line seventh, with Chaz Davies fighting through the field to finish eighth. Jordi Torres was ninth with Xavi Fores in tenth.

On the podium, the three riders wore shirts in memoriam to the late Nicky Hayden, who passed away shortly before the meeting. Fans and teams alike joined together at the circuit for a minutes silence to remember the 2006 MotoGP world champion and former Red Bull Honda Racing rider.