Sykes has won the opening 23 lap WorldSBK race at Donington Park in dry but cold and overcast conditions after a race long fight with his KRT team mate Jonathan Rea. The pair swapped positions for virtually the whole race after getting the better of early leader Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils).

Sykes has now won the last 5 WorldSBK races at the Leicestershire circuit and is one win short of 6 Donington wins, an accolade held by countryman Carl Fogarty.

The final podium place went to Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) who also passed Haslam, who finished 4^th, with 6 laps to go.

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) showed incredible pace in the closing stages to snatch 5^th at the flag from Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) who was a solid 6^th.

Jordi Torres (Apriilia Racing Team – Red Devils) finished 7^th on his Donington race debut ahead of reigning champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and David Salom (Team Pedercini) who were 8^th, 9^th and 10^th respectively.

The final point scorers were Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing), Nico Terol (Althea Racing), Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven), Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), and Niccolo Canepa (Grillini SBK Team).

Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) crashed out early on while Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) made an unscheduled pit stop to change tyres, the Italian, who started on the front row finished 17^th and out of the points.

Race 2 is scheduled to take part at 1500 local time.