Superbikes - Assen WSBK: Laverty pips Sykes to win race two
Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty battled to the bitter end with
Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes to claim first place on the podium in the
second World Superbike race at Assen this afternoon.  Sykes was
leading until the final three laps, when the Irish rider decided
to make his move. The Huddersfield lad did put up on strong
fight, but he ran on to the curb in the final chicane giving
Laverty the opportunity to take the lead, and eventually his
second World Superbike win of the year.  Sykes was not the only
Kawasaki on the podium, as young French rider Loris Baz claimed
the final step of the podium, but had to contend with challenges
from Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea, and earlier during the 22 lap
race a charge from Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli.  The Frenchman
appeared to have tyre issues as he fell off the pace, letting
GoldBet BMW’s Chaz Davies to take fifth place, with less than
four hundredths of a second separating the two bikes as they
crossed the finishing line.  Fi