After torrential weather during qualifying, thankfully the sun was out on Sunday for the Donington WSB race 1. And there was plenty for the British crowd to cheer about aside from the fine weather.
Lowes made it to the podium in race 1
Lap one saw Alex Lowes leading the way with Baz and Guintoli behind and a stack of Brits hot on their heels trying to make up for a fairly poor qualifying performance from the home crowd heroes. But it didn't stay that way for long as Iddon and Laverty hit the deck.
Mid race and the only Brit looking set for a podium was Lowes while the rest dropped off the pace, however Giugliano hopping off promoted Sykes to third and quickly the Kawasaki rider started to look threatening. The Kawasaki vs Kawasaki battle was soon decided in favour of the Brit and Sykes took a hard earned race one win with Lowes an excellent third.
Race two and once again Sykes made it hard for himself while a lunge by Baz saw Leon Haslam punted down the field. At the front the Aprilia pair of Melandri and Guintoli were setting the pace with Baz behind and Lowes and Sykes still more than in the hunt. Then disaster struck as Lowes took out Melandri and himself and then Laverty fell off again.
Another two wins for Sykes in a great display
Once again it was down to Sykes to uphold honour and by mid-race he was leading the way with Baz and Guintoli behind, a position he comfortably held to take a double, double at Donington.
The supersport race saw Kev Coghlan secure third place with Van der Mark first and Cluzel on the MV second. Kennedy was seventh, Hornsey 16th
Race 1:
1. Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
2. Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team)
3. Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki)
Race 2:
1. Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
2. Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team)
3. Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team)
Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) - DNF, 15
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) - 1, 1
Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) - 8, 7
Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) - 6, 6
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) - 5, 5
Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) - 2, 10
Christian Iddon (Team Bimota Alstare) - DNF, 11