DONINGTON PARK CLASSICS: watch Sykes battle with KRT teammate Baz – Race 1 2014 for FREE
Coming from as low as 11th on Lap 1, this was one of Tom Sykes’ finest victories in WorldSBK and his third straight win at Donington Park
After two classic races to start the week, featuring Neil Hodgon’s wonderful wildcard victory and a last-corner showdown, this time it’s time to travel to 2014. With the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heading to Donington Park next time out, we’re taking a look at some incredible classic races from the iconic circuit. Race 1 in 2014 turned into a battle of teammates for victory – will there be more in 2023 when WorldSBK visits for Round 6?
2014 was shaping up to be a thrilling season and as the Championship headed to Donington Park, reigning Champion Tom Sykes had work to do as he trailed Ten Kate Honda’s Jonathan Rea by four points in the Championship after the Ulsterman’s double win at Imola. However, Sykes was a circuit specialist, having done the double the year before on his way to the crown. Uncharacteristically, Sykes was down field in 2014, with the Kawasaki rider only managing seventh place on the grid on Saturday, making for a mountain to climb during Sunday’s races.
As lights went out for Race 1, it was a hectic start to the race as the Aprilia’s of Sylvain Guintoli and Marco Melandri swapped paint continuously through to the Old Hairpin, whilst Suzuki’s Alex Lowes hit the front for the first time in his rookie WorldSBK season. Further down field, Tom Sykes went backwards off the line and was way down in 11th place whilst Championship leader Rea was in and around the top six. As Sykes’ teammate Loris Baz challenged for the lead, Sykes himself set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 2 and was inside the top ten, clearing Toni Elias.
On Lap 5, Sykes was now ninth whilst Loris Baz took the lead. Sykes then made short work of those ahead of him, going from ninth to sixth in just one lap on Lap 8, before passing Rea for fifth place on Lap 12. He then got ahead of Marco Melandri for fourth place on Lap 13, before inheriting a top three placing when Davide Giugliano, the pole-sitter, crashed out at the Foggy Esses on Lap 16, chasing an elusive first win. Sykes caught up to Lowes and got ahead on the backstraight on Lap 17. He now had his eyes on Baz and with just over three laps to go, Sykes hit the front. Baz came back through at the Old Hairpin and covered his teammate off, with the battle now fierce, as the Brit came back through on his teammate at the Melbourne hairpin. Baz had another go on the penultimate lap at the Old Hairpin but ran wide, leaving Sykes to come through and then pull away for victory, to return to the top of the Championship tree. Baz made it a Kawasaki 1-2 whilst Alex Lowes got a maiden podium in third.
Watch more classic races in style and watch this season’s classics LIVE in 2023 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
