Tom Sykes came away from Assen with two fifth places, confirming a disappointing outcome after clinching his first pole position of the 2015 season. Interviewed by WorldSBK.com on Sunday evening, the Englishman was candid about his plight.

“Very disappointed,” Sykes began. “At the end of the day, Jonathan (Rea) and Chaz (Davies) did two really strong races. We are getting closer to the front, but it was just frustrating to have one limitation which has cost us. It’s the same limitation that has affected us all year.”

When asked to explain more on this ‘limitation’, Sykes replied:

“Rear traction. We are suffering in general from the rear traction side. Of course we need to change the balance of the bike but, slowly but surely, I’m confident we can get there. All we can do is to keep working. In fact, you’ve just caught me after a big technical meeting and we’ve got some good ideas. There is still light at the end of the tunnel.

“Obviously, Jonathan has done a great job and only dropped ten points so far, so we need to react fast. At the end of the day, we can only do what we can do. There is nobody as frustrated as me. Watching the guys pull away from me on rear traction…there is no replacement for traction. I’m not making excuses. I was riding the best I could. The guys in front obviously did a better job.

“I want to join the party! Watching the race form fourth and fifth…those guys are having a hell of a time. I want to get involved and it would be nice for the tele as well!”

The 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship season continues at Imola in Italy in three weeks’ time.